GRANHOLM - Avian Influenza Strain Collected in Michigan Poses No Human Health Risk

LANSING – State officials today said that a low pathogenic strain of avian influenza collected last week in mute swans from a state game area poses no human health risk and that there is no indication that commercial poultry flocks were exposed to the swans.

Officials from the Michigan Departments of Natural Resources (DNR), Agriculture (MDA) and Community Health (DCH) today addressed concerns surrounding recent avian influenza surveillance efforts in Monroe County. Test results from wild mute swans from the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area indicated the possible presence of low pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza but ruled out the possibility of the highly pathogenic strain as seen in Asia, Europe and Africa.

“We have a detailed and comprehensive plan for avian influenza in our state, which includes a proactive surveillance program,” said Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. We will continue to be vigilant in our surveillance and response and keep the public well informed with accurate and timely information.”

Low pathogenic strains of avian influenza naturally occur in wild birds and frequently go unnoticed or cause them only minor symptoms.

As part of increased surveillance efforts, officials said that additional findings of low pathogenic H5N1 are likely and even expected. DNR and USDA biologists will be looking for waterfowl die-offs and will monitor hunter-harvested birds taken throughout the fall hunting season, as well as conducting testing on 2,000 waterfowl in Michigan as part of a national avian influenza surveillance effort.

MDA, DNR and DCH are conducting increased surveillance for avian influenza, including samples from poultry hobby flocks and commercial flocks in conjunction with the Allied Poultry Industry. DCH is providing up-to-date information to public health officials in all 83 Michigan counties.

“The state will continue to work closely with USDA, U.S. Department of Interior, and Michigan State University on surveillance and testing efforts for avian influenza,” Governor Granholm said. “This effort will proactively prevent this disease from becoming problematic in our state.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services collected the samples on August 8, and Michigan State University's Diagnostic Center for Population and Animal Health conducted screening tests on those samples. USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories will continue confirmatory testing in Ames, Iowa, to determine the exact strain or strains of the virus. The results are expected within two weeks, however, the fact that the swans showed no signs of sickness, and no sign of disease in birds around them suggests this is a low path virus.

For any concerns about sick poultry, contact the U.S. Department of Agriculture at 866-536-7593. For wild bird (shore birds and waterfowl) reports, contact USDA Wildlife Services at 866-487-3297. For poultry flock surveillance, call 800-292-3939. For additional information on avian influenza, please see the State of Michigan’s Emerging Disease Web site at www.michigan.gov/emergingdiseases.