The statewide suspension on poultry and waterfowl exhibitions put in place by Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) Director Gary McDowell was lifted on June 11.
The stop was implemented on May 10 as a precautionary measure to further protect against the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), helping to keep Michigan’s domestic poultry flocks safe and healthy.
To date, Michigan has had only one case of HPAI in a commercial poultry flock, which involved a flock of 35,100 turkeys in Muskegon County. The presence of HPAI was confirmed in that flock on the same day the suspension of poultry shows was implemented. The control area around that flock was lifted on June 7.
Michigan also has had 12 backyard flocks affected by HPAI, but all of those cases were confirmed prior to the commercial turkey case.
The exhibition ban was to last 30 days following the last HPAI detection.
“Even though the state has been able to reach this incredibly important benchmark, this does not mean the virus has left Michigan,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland. “HPAI continues to be detected in wild birds throughout the state, which is not unexpected as the virus is known to be carried by wild birds. Since the virus is still present in the environment, it is still crucial for owners and caretakers of domestic birds to take every step possible to protect their flocks.”
While the stop has been lifted, MDARD stated that it continues to vigilantly monitor national HPAI trends and quickly respond to reports of sick or dead domestic birds in Michigan.
In addition to Michigan going a full month without a confirmed HPAI case, other states are also experiencing a slowdown in new cases. The two most recent cases of HPAI reported in the United States were both in Weld County, Colorado, which were confirmed on June 7 and June 9.
To learn more about HPAI cases in North American commercial poultry flocks, see an interactive map on WATTPoultry.com.
Read our ongoing coverage of the global avian influenza outbreak.
