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April 01, 2025
Taking steps to reduce disease spread helps ensure healthy poultry and healthy people
LANSING - With the sale of baby poultry (chicks, ducklings, etc.) this spring season, the Michigan departments of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) and Health and Human Services (MDHHS) would like to remind those buying and caring for these birds that following good preventative measures will help to keep both their birds and themselves healthy.
“Prevention is a key strategy for maintaining flock health,” said State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland, DVM, MS, DACVPM. “By taking a series of precautions, people can make sure they are not spreading germs to and among their birds. Bird owners can also make sure harmful germs are not being transferred to from them to their birds or from their birds to other animals or wildlife to themselves. Healthy poultry makes for healthy people.”
One disease to be mindful of is highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). HPAI is a highly contagious virus that can be spread in various ways from flock to flock, including by wild birds, through contact with infected poultry, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers. The virus is also zoonotic, meaning it affects both animals and people.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk associated with avian influenza remains low. In the U.S., since 2024, there have been 70 confirmed cases of the disease in humans and one death. While the majority of these cases are associated with those who are working on affected poultry and dairy operations, some are connected to backyard flocks, underscoring why it is important for owners of domestic birds to take action to maintain the health of their flocks.
“Back>yard poultry owners should be aware birds can carry germs impacting both animal and human health, including Salmonella and highly pathogenic avian influenza,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, MDHHS chief medical executive. “While the risk to the public remains low with avian influenza, simple steps like washing your hands after handling birds or after cleaning the coops are essential to reducing the spread of disease and keeping germs out of your household. Taking these precautions protects both animal and family health.”
Another disease to protect against is Salmonella, which is a bacteria found in the droppings of poultry that can cause illness in people.
In 2024, the CDC reported outbreaks of Salmonella linked to backyard poultry, involving 470 people across 48 states. Even if birds look healthy and clean, they can still be carrying the Salmonella bacteria; and measures need to be taken to prevent illness.
No matter the type of germ, species of poultry, or size of your flock, following these simple steps are fundamental to protecting your health and the health of your birds:
• Preventing contact between domestic poultry and wild birds by bringing poultry indoors to a barn/coop or ensuring their outdoor area is fully enclosed.
• Washing your hands before and after handling birds and/or their eggs as well as when moving between different coops.
• Disinfecting boots and other gear when moving between coops.
• Not sharing equipment or other supplies between coops or other farms.
• Cleaning and disinfecting equipment and other supplies between uses. If it cannot be disinfected, discard it.
• Using well or municipal water as drinking water for birds.
• Keeping poultry feed secure so there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.
• Not touching birds to your face.
• Keeping poultry away from areas where food or drink is prepared, served, or stored.
• Contacting your veterinarian if there are ever any questions related to the health of your animals.
• Monitoring your flock for unusual deaths, a drop in egg production, a significant decrease in water consumption, or an increase in sick birds.
o If avian influenza is suspected, contact MDARD immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).
More information on avian influenza and how to protect flocks through biosecurity measures can be found on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s website. Also, more information on HPAI in Michigan can be found on MDARD’s website, and resources on Salmonella and backyard flocks are available on the CDC’s website.
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