LANSING — A dairy herd in Gratiot County has been diagnosed with H5N1, bringing the total number of affected dairy herds this year in Michigan to 26, according to Tim Boring, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
The detection was made as part of testing required before dairy cows can be transported over state lines, Mr. Boring said.
“I would say these detections are a sign that our processes are working,” said Mr. Boring, noting that, until this week, the most recent diagnosis of H5N1 in dairy cattle in the state had been on June 7.
Michigan had been No. 1 in the country earlier this year for cases of avian flu in poultry and dairy cows. Currently, the numbers in Colorado have outpaced Michigan, where case numbers have begun to wane.
On Friday, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis declared a disaster emergency declaration for Weld County, where a large poultry facility was detected to have H5N1.
“The risk to most people remains low. Avian flu viruses are currently spreading among animals, but they are not adapted to spread from person to person,” said Dr. Rachel Herlihy, Colorado's state epidemiologist. “Right now, the most important thing to know is that people who have regular exposure to infected animals are at increased risk of infection and should take precautions when they have contact with sick animals.”.
The Centers for Disease Control reports that 139 dairy herds have been affected by H5N1 in 12 states as of Friday. According to the 2022 Census, 24,094 U.S. farms sold milk during 2022.
In Michigan, any dairy cattle to be shown at county fairs or other exhibitions must have a negative H5N1 test within seven days of the event. In addition, signage educating the public about biosecurity measures must be posted at all entrances and exits to the exhibition.
Poultry may be exhibited, as there has not been any subsequent H5N1 diagnoses since May.
“A number of fairs are taking even more protections,” Mr. Boring said. “Some have halted all dairy cow exhibitions.”
For instance, Shiawassee County has dropped all dairy cow exhibits for the 2024 fair scheduled for Aug. 4-10. Instead, educational exhibits will be displayed in the dairy barn. The county is between Lansing and Flint.
“This decision is out of an abundance of caution and for the safety and well-being of our county's dairy herds,” organizers posted on social media.
The Tuscola County Fair, slated for July 20-27, has also banned any dairy cow exhibits for 2024. Instead, competitors may submit a video of their dairy cow projects for judging. Tuscola County is in the thumb of Michigan.
Most Popular
Comments / 0