By Andi Anderson
As the county fair season begins in West Michigan, concerns about bird flu are prompting new biosecurity measures. Earlier this year, the virus spread from birds to dairy cattle for the first time, leading state officials to take action to prevent further transmission.
Michigan's Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) has mandated new rules to ensure the safety of both animals and people. MDARD Director Tim Boring expressed concern over the widespread nature of the disease, noting that the 26th dairy herd in Michigan tested positive for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Flu. "Certainly, on some level that we have a disease that's widespread," Boring said.
In response, Boring amended the state's emergency order in late June, pausing the participation of lactating cows at fairs until 60 days after a reported positive case.
With the latest case, the timeline resets, imposing stricter regulations compared to other states to maintain safety at fairs.
Despite the heightened measures, Boring reassured families about the safety of interacting with poultry and cattle at fairs.
Doug Chapin, chairman of the Michigan Milk Producers Association and a long-time dairy farmer, shared his experience, emphasizing that while his herd remains healthy, other farms have faced challenges. "So the disease is very interesting, in that for some people the symptoms are slight, and other farms the symptoms seem to hit pretty hard," Chapin said. He noted that affected farms experience significant workload for a few weeks, with infected cows seeing up to a 15% decrease in milk supply.
Testing for the virus is ongoing at the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. MSU Director Kimberly Dodd explained that the virus replicates well in a cow's mammary glands but reassured that pasteurization effectively kills the virus in milk.
The bird flu has also impacted domestic cats, with several cases of severe disease and fatalities reported. Infected cats had direct contact with infected dairy cattle. However, there have been no reports of cats transmitting the virus to humans.
As of July 14, the CDC reported nine human cases of bird flu, including two individuals from Michigan who were in close contact with cattle. Boring highlighted the importance of proactive measures to prevent the virus from evolving into a greater human health risk.
In response to the growing concerns, the United States is investing $176 million in Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine. While federal health officials currently assess the risk to the wider population as low, ongoing efforts aim to mitigate future threats.
As West Michigan families enjoy the fair season, the new biosecurity measures ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for all, reinforcing the commitment to public health and agricultural safety.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Michigan, Livestock