The Director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), Tim Boring, announced the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in some dairy herds from Calhoun, Clinton and Ionia counties. The Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory initially reported these findings, and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the detection in the Ionia County herd. Confirmatory testing for the Calhoun and Clinton county herds is underway. Biosecurity remains the best tool to combat HPAI. On May 1, Boring issued the Determination of Extraordinary Emergency HPAI Risk Reduction and Response order, and additional guidance was provided two days later to help enact these requirements. MDARD continues working with the herd’s veterinarian to monitor the health of the animals and mitigate the spread of HPAI.
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