Michigan has been battling highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), aka bird flu, for over three years. The virus has heavily impacted our backyard and commercial poultry farmers, increased the price of eggs, and, in March of 2024, crossed over into Michigan’s dairy cattle. While the virus is primarily spread by migratory wild birds, it can also be moved to new areas by people on their shoes, clothes, car tires, and more. Anyone has the potential to spread HPAI, particularly if they move between farming locations on the same day.
HPAI is a virus found among various species of wild and domestic birds. The disease can infect domestic poultry, including chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, ducks, geese, and guinea fowl.
The virus has even been detected in various wild and domestic species of mammals – including dairy cattle and poultry – presumably after the animals come into contact with infected wild birds or materials contaminated by infected animals.
So, how can you help stop the spread of bird flu? When entering a property you know has poultry or cows, whether you’re there for working, delivering packages and products, meter reading, or otherwise, taking a few easy risk reduction steps will help keep poultry and dairy cows safe from exposure.
These risk reduction measures, otherwise known as biosecurity, include:
- As much as possible, wearing rubber boots and using a disinfectant like a boot wash or using disposable shoe covers. Remember the virus can be moved on clothes and shoes.
- Spraying vehicle tires with disinfectant at a property’s entrance and when exiting as well as adhering to any biosecurity signs and procedures.
- Parking in an area in the sun and on a hard surface (like gravel or cement), as much as possible.
- Bringing only the tools, equipment, or materials that are essential, and disinfecting them in between uses.
- Following good hand washing and cleansing practices. Wash hands thoroughly and frequently for at least 15 seconds with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use hand sanitizer containing at least 60 percent alcohol.
The HPAI virus can survive longer under cold and wet conditions (weeks to months) than under warm, dry conditions (hours to days). So, the next time you’re working on and around a property with poultry or dairy cattle, please take a few moments to follow these simple steps. Being mindful of how the virus can spread and preventing that transmission is fundamental to being able to curb its impact and protect both animal and human health throughout the state.
For more information on HPAI, please visit www.michigan.gov/birdflu. Or, for details on additional worker safety information, visit the Occupational Safety and Health Administration website at https://www.osha.gov/avian-flu.