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Fujian H5N2 In Nine June Canada Geese - Macomb County Michigan


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Avian influenza

In early June, Michigan became the nation’s 21st state since 2014 to report a case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). In the other 20 states, HPAI has been found in captive or free-ranging wild birds, and/or backyard and commercial poultry flocks. Michigan became the sixth state to detect HPAI only in free-ranging birds.

Avian influenza is a virus that affects both free-ranging birds and domestic poultry such as chickens, turkeys, quail and geese. Avian influenza viruses are named based on how lethal they are to domestic chickens: highly pathogenic viruses cause widespread deaths, while low pathogenic viruses do not. Avian influenza has not yet been identified in Michigan’s domestic poultry flocks.

Since 2006, nearly 9,000 waterfowl in Michigan have been tested for avian influenza. Thus far, Michigan has a total of four free-ranging Canada goslings and one sub-adult goose – all from Macomb County – confirmed to have been infected with the HPAI H5N2 virus.

With recent avian flu findings, Steve Schmitt, veterinarian in charge of the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory, said the relocation of geese has been suspended for this year.

“Each summer, the DNR routinely relocates nuisance Canada geese in southeast Michigan to other parts of the state,” Schmitt explained. “Given these developments, the DNR has stopped all goose relocation activities, except in areas where there is a domestic poultry or public health concern.”

Schmitt said vigilant surveillance and containment continue to be the department’s top priorities, with actions that include responding to reports of suspicious dead animals; testing ducks and geese during routine banding, as well as hunter-harvested waterfowl; and employing increased biosecurity measures for anyone who handles waterfowl.

Important points for the public to keep in mind include:

  • To date, no highly pathogenic avian influenza infections of humans have been detected in the United States. Avian influenza is not a food safety concern and no birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the food chain.
  • Birds infected with HPAI may experience difficulty walking, lack of appetite, energy or vocalization, or other neurological symptoms. Sudden death and high death losses are major indicators of HPAI.
  • Residents who notice sick or three or more dead free-ranging waterfowl should report it to DNR at 517-336-5030. If a domestic flock is experiencing severe illness or multiple deaths, contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development at 800-292-3939or (for after-hours emergencies) 517-373-0440.

For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/avianinfluenza or www.michigan.gov/aviandiseases.



Read more: http://www.ammoland.com/2015/06/michigan-continues-work-to-contain-chronic-wasting-disease-avian-flu-and-west-nile/#ixzz3eVuoIgfW 
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Avian flu in Sterling Heights disrupts Armada Fair

AR-150629611.jpg&maxh=400&maxw=667
The Michigan Association for Fairs and Exhibitions, Michigan 4-H leadership, the Michigan Allied Poultry Industry and Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s State Veterinarian Dr. James Averill have canceled all 2015 poultry and waterfowl exhibitions in the state due to concerns about avian flu. This will affect the ability of the Armada Fair to have live poultry and waterfowl displays. SUBMITTED PHOTO

 

Local 4-H students who have raised poultry or waterfowl are seeking alternatives to displaying their live birds at the Armada Fair, as state officials have canceled all 2015 live poultry and waterfowl exhibitions in Michigan following an avian flu discovery in Sterling Heights.

 

 

After the state announced the finding in birds near Lakeside Mall, the Michigan Association for Fairs and Exhibitions, Michigan 4-H leadership and the Michigan Allied Poultry Industry, as well as the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development’s State Veterinarian Dr. James Averill, canceled all 2015 poultry and waterfowl exhibitions in the state in order to prevent comingling of birds from multiple locations.

 

 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has been working in conjunction with the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions, Michigan State University Extension, 4-H and others to find alternate ways to engage the state’s youth poultry exhibitors.

 

 

“The impact this disease has had on the poultry industry and how quickly it is spreading is clear,” Michigan Association for Fairs and Exhibitions Executive Director Lisa Reiff said. “While it’s unfortunate that poultry exhibitions are canceled for this year, it’s crucial youth still have an opportunity to participate in fair activities.”

 

 

This year’s Armada Fair is set to run from Aug. 17-23. Armada Fair Poultry Superintendent and Armada Fair Board Vice President Jim Eckhout said the fair typically exhibits about 150 cages of live birds inside the poultry barn and between 20 and 30 cages of live waterfowl outside, as well as about 80 pens for meat birds.

 

 

“I have been on the fair board nine years,” Eckhout said. “This is the first time this has happened with poultry.”

 

 

Eckhout said although 4-H students raising turkeys, ducks and geese may have purchased the birds prior to the early June decision, some of those planning on raising chickens were alerted prior to purchase.

 

 

“Basically, what the fair is doing is recommending that all the kids in poultry sign up for showmanship,” Eckhout said.

 

 

He said 4-H students have several alternatives to showing their live birds, such as showmanship with life-like bird models, veterinary science projects, egg production and club displays. Poultry barns at the fair will be used for these types of exhibits, he added.

 

 

Elizabeth Duran, a program coordinator for 4-H of Macomb County, said the primary objective is for the students to retain the educational experience.

 

 

“The show of live chickens is canceled, but there will still be a display when you walk through the barn,” Duran said.

 

 

Local 4-H students interested in selling their birds are encouraged to send out letters to previous and potential buyers, as private sellers to private buyers, rather than selling their birds through the fair.

 

 

“The life lesson is let’s look at alternatives. It is a roadblock, but let’s look and see how creative we can get. ... That is what we are trying to do. The life lesson is when life throws you a curve, what can we do,” Eckhout said.

 

 

Eckhout added 4-H students with poultry and waterfowl can take precautions against avian flu by housing the birds in an indoor structure and keeping them away from wild birds. Marinda Ochs, a program coordinator for 4-H of Macomb County, said biosecurity must be practiced, such as washing and disinfecting equipment, not sharing equipment and sanitizing hands and boots.

 

 

“It is unfortunate that this all happened, but it provides us with a wonderful opportunity to teach youth that when you are talking about animal agriculture and livestock production, unanticipated challenges go along with that,” Ochs said.

 

 

http://www.macombdaily.com/environment-and-nature/20150629/avian-flu-in-sterling-heights-disrupts-armada-fair

 

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Sterling Heights avian flu case is Michigan's first

 

 

doc557715f17aa9f9671548591.jpg

Geese congregate at a residential area pond near Lakeside Mall. Three infected goslings were recently found at these ponds, according to state officials. (Photo by Ray Skowronek)

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The Michigan departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture and Rural Development on June 8 announced the state's first confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N2 has been discovered in Macomb County.

The disease was found in free-ranging Canadian geese found earlier this month near Lakeside Mall along M-59. Avian influenza is a virus that can infect both free-ranging and domestic poultry such as chickens, turkeys, quail and geese.

Three goslings were delivered to the DNR's Wildlife Disease Laboratory for necropsy. Initial testing was performed at Michigan State University's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health in Lansing. These tests were positive and the samples were forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Veterinary Services Lab for final confirmation. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and the DNR received confirmation June 6 the goslings were infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza, subtype H5N2.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to people from these HPAI viruses to be low. To date, no human HPAI infections have been detected in the United States. Avian influenza is not a food safety concern and no birds or bird products infected with HPAI will enter the food chain.

"The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) considers this to be low risk. It is a concern that it can go to other birds: Ducks, geese, domestic poultry," said Bill Ridella, Macomb County Health Department director. "We recommend that those in the backyard or domestic poultry business practice greater biosecurity, such as washing and disinfect equipment, making sure to wash your hands frequently, and have fewer people caring for the birds."

Michigan is the 21st state to report a case of HPAI since December 2014. In the other 20 states, the virus has been found in captive wild birds or free-ranging birds, backyard flocks, and commercial flocks. Michigan also becomes the sixth state to detect in wild or free-ranging birds only. To date, there are 226 detections of HPAI across the country affecting approximately 50 million birds, with Iowa and Minnesota experiencing the most cases.

"While this is disappointing news that the H5N2 virus has been found in Michigan's free-ranging bird population, it was not unexpected given avian influenza has been found in a number of our neighboring states and Ontario," said MDARD Director Jamie Clover Adams.

Clover Adams stressed avian influenza has not been identified in Michigan's domestic poultry flocks.

"MDARD will continue to work hand-in-hand with our backyard and commercial poultry farmers to conduct surveillance testing and provide education along with Michigan State University's Extension on implementing and stepping up on-farm biosecurity practices to protect the health of Michigan's domestic poultry," she said.

Keith Creagh, DNR director, said the state's chief focus now is preventing the disease's spread in wildlife and its transmission to domestic poultry.

"This confirmed positive finding of highly pathogenic avian influenza prompts several steps that are informed by Michigan's Surveillance and Response Plan for HPAI in free-ranging wildlife," Creagh said. "The DNR and MDARD are working with other experts and taking advantage of every available resource to ensure a swift, appropriate response that limits the spread of HPAI."

Ridella said if anyone observes any waterfowl or geese with any obvious neurological problems or encounters dead birds they should contact the Michigan DNR at 517-336-5030. Any deaths among birds in domesticated flocks should be reported to the state department of Agriculture and Rural Development at 800-292-3939.

For after-hours emergencies call 517-373-0440.

"Keep your distance from sick birds. It's a good safety measure not to interact with wild birds," Ridella added. "Continue to feed birds in your backyard, but avoid direct contact."

The state's wildlife HPAI plan was developed by DNR's Wildlife Division in 2006. The DNR already practices regular examination of carcasses from mortality events affecting birds and samples live-caught and hunter-harvested wild birds.

Guided by the wildlife HPAI plan, the DNR will:

* Create an avian influenza (AI) Core Area, a 10-mile radius around the confirmed positive cases.

* Create an AI Management Zone, including any counties that touch the AI Core Area. In this case, the AI Management Zone will include Macomb and Oakland counties.

* Change goose relocation activities. The DNR routinely relocates nuisance geese in southeast Michigan to other parts of the state. The AI Management Zone will be under quarantine and roundup/relocation within these counties will be prohibited, except for the purpose of additional testing.

* Continue goose roundup and relocation efforts in the rest of the state.

* Change goose relocation drop-off sites so none are within a 10-mile radius of a commercial poultry facility in Michigan.

* Heighten AI surveillance in the two-county AI Management Zone.

* Increase biosecurity measures for contractors who relocate geese and anybody handling geese, as well as for waterfowl banders.

* Continue statewide AI surveillance, which includes responding to suspicious dead animals, conduct sample testing of geese being relocated, banding ducks and geese, and testing hunter-harvested waterfowl.

With this type of highly pathogenic avian influenza, there may be an absence of many of the routine signs of illness in domestic poultry. Sudden death and high-death losses are major indicators of HPAI. However, sick birds may experience neurological signs that include: Difficulty walking; lack of appetite, energy or vocalization; significant drop in egg production; swollen combs, wattles, legs or head; diarrhea; or nasal discharge, sneezing or coughing.

Wild birds commonly have avian influenza and sometimes spread it to domestic birds through direct or indirect transmission. Ducks and geese are considered carriers. However, geese generally do not pass it on. Ridella said the virus is airborne and can be passed on in a variety of ways, including sharing food sources, commingling, nasal discharge and feces.

In an attempt to keep the virus from spreading, all transport of domesticated poultry in the form of expos, petting farms, etc., across county lines has been cancelled.

For more information, go to michigan.gov/avianinfluenza or michigan.gov/aviandiseases.

 

 

http://www.sourcenewspapers.com/articles/2015/06/15/news/doc557715f17aa9f967154859.txt?viewmode=fullstor

 

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MI Flu Focus Influenza Surveillance Updates Bureaus of Epidemiology and Laboratories

Co-Editors: Stefanie DeVita, RN, MPH [email protected] June 24, 2015 Bethany Reimink, MPH [email protected]

Vol. 12; No. 23 Influenza Surveillance Report for the Week Ending June 13, 2015

Updates of Interest:

o On June 15, 2015, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service released a preliminary epidemiologic analysis of US poultry flocks affected by Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Michigan Disease Surveillance System MDSS influenza data indicated that compared to levels from the previous week, aggregate and individual reports decreased. Aggregate reports are much lower while individual reports are lower than levels seen during the same time period last year. Emergency Department Surveillance Compared to levels from the week prior, emergency department visits from constitutional complaints slightly increased and respiratory complaints slightly decreased. Levels of constitutional complaints are slightly lower while levels of respiratory complaints are similar to levels seen during the same time period last year. • 6 constitutional alerts (1SW, 3C, 2N)

• 1 respiratory alert (1SE) Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A (H5N2) Detected in Wild Birds in Michigan ---

• On June 8, 2015, the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources (MDNR) and Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced the state’s first confirmation of the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza A (HPAI) (H5N2) in free-ranging Canada geese in Sterling Heights, Macomb County.

• HPAI has not been detected in domestic poultry flocks (e.g. commericial, backyard) in Michigan at this time.

• On June 1, 2015, MDARD made the decision to cancel all poultry and waterfowl exhibitions in Michigan for the remainder of the year to prevent the comingling of birds from different locations. This includes, but is not limited to, shows, exhibitions, swap meets, petting zoos at fairs, game bird and waterfowl fair displays, and Miracle of Life exhibits.

• Although Michigan has had previous cases of low pathogenic avian influenza in free-ranging birds, this is the first case of HPAI in free-ranging birds in Michigan.

• To date, no human cases of these recent HPAI H5 viruses have been detected in the United States.

• Although the risk of infection is low for people, some highly pathogenic avian flu viruses can infect people causing mild to severe respiratory illness. Signs and symptoms of human illness to watch for include fever or feeling feverish, cough, runny nose, sore throat, headache, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, diarrhea and red, itchy eyes (conjunctivitis).

• The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) is coordinating with CDC and local health departments on appropriate human health measures in the event that people are exposed to infected or dead birds due to HPAI.

o As a general precaution, people exposed to HPAI-infected birds will be monitored by their local health department for any signs or symptoms of illness consistent with influenza.

o To assist in these efforts, MDHHS developed three documents: (1) the HPAI Evaluation and Monitoring Protocol for local public health to conduct health monitoring for those individuals who have been exposed to HPAI-infected birds, (2) an HPAI fact sheet for distribution to those people who need to be monitored, and (3) a symptom monitoring log.

o All MDHHS HPAI documents can be found at www.michigan.gov/cdinfo. Any reports of sick or dying birds should be forwarded immediately to the proper agency:

• For domestic poultry, contact MDARD:

o M-F 8am-5pm at (800) 292-3939 or after hours/weekends at (517) 373-0440.

• For wildlife, residents who notice a die-off of waterfowl, gulls, or shorebirds, report it to DNR.

o M-F 8am-5pm at (517) 336-5030 or after hours at (800) 292-7800.

• For more information on reporting sick or dead wild birds, please refer to the MDHHS avian influenza website

 

https://www.michigan.gov/documents/MIFluFocus_1_5_06_146893_7.pdf

Edited by niman
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MichiganGoose2.thumb.png.e9f7824ae1fd83c

The above map more accurately represents the distribution of the symptomatic / dead Fujian H5 positive Canada geese in and around Sterling Heights in Macomb County Michigan.

Edited by niman
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