Highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in three additional dairy herds in Michigan, the state’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced Friday.
The state was the second, after Texas, to report HPAI in dairy cattle when it confirmed the virus in a herd in Montcalm County March 29. The latest detections are in Ionia, Isabella, and Ottawa counties.
On Thursday, South Dakota announced HPAI had been found in a dairy herd, becoming the eighth state with HPAI-infected dairy cows. In all cases, the detections were confirmed by USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories.
The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s HPAI website now shows 26 detections, in Texas (11), New Mexico (6), Kansas (3), Michigan (2), Idaho (1), Ohio (1), North Carolina (1), and South Dakota (1).
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“This news is unfortunate and upsetting for our poultry and dairy farming families and communities," Michigan Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring said. “We must all be on high alert.”
Federal and state animal disease experts “continue to assess this situation and provide insights into the role of HPAI in the affected livestock as they become aware,” Boring said.
State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland said HPAI “doesn’t affect dairy cows the same way as it does with poultry. With proper veterinary care, cows are recovering. Biosecurity is the best line of defense. Still, we want to stress working with your veterinarian is fundamental for the recovery of affected dairy cows.”
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