H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in Oakland: 9 Individuals Monitored, 2 Report Symptoms

According to Mullan, “We’ve already collected a flu test sample from one of the individuals, and we’ll take the second sample tomorrow. If the results are positive, their healthcare provider will determine an appropriate course of treatment.”

He further mentioned that the asymptomatic individuals would be monitored for 10 days, starting from Thursday, though he refrained from disclosing their community locations. The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) also did not specify the exact location of the infected flock. This marks the second case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Oakland County since the virus was first detected in Michigan in 2022.

On December 30, MDARD reported detecting bird flu in a backyard flock in Jackson County and two commercial poultry facilities in Ottawa County. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has stated that the public health risk associated with avian influenza remains low, and no infected birds or bird products will enter the commercial food chain. The disease has affected 30 dairy farms in Michigan, making six farmworkers sick, according to a letter sent to dairy farmers on November 25, 2024, by MDARD Director Tim Boring.

What is Bird Flu?

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a viral infection primarily affecting birds but can also infect humans and other animals.

H5N1 bird flu, a subtype of influenza A, is known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and can infect birds, mammals, and humans.

Causes: Bird flu is caused by the influenza A virus, which exists in many bird populations. The virus has various strains, classified as low pathogenic (LPAI) or highly pathogenic (HPAI).

Symptoms: Symptoms range from mild to severe and include fever, cough, muscle aches, red eyes, and difficulty breathing. Severe cases can lead to complications like pneumonia or organ failure.

Transmission: The virus spreads between wild and domesticated birds and can be transmitted to humans through close contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces. While person-to-person transmission is rare, it has been reported in a few cases.

Prevention: To prevent bird flu, take the following steps:

•Cook poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F.

•Separate raw poultry from cooked foods and foods that won’t be cooked.

•Wash all surfaces that have come into contact with raw poultry, meat, seafood, or eggs with hot, soapy water.

•Avoid consuming raw dairy products.