Bird flu case confirmed in Allegan County eagle. Here's what to know.

Mitchell Boatman, The Holland Sentinel
·2 min read
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ALLEGAN COUNTY — A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza — bird flu — has been confirmed in an Allegan County eagle, the health department announced Wednesday.

Three dead geese have also been collected and sent for testing, but results are pending. No human illness has been associated with the detection, ACHD said.

In this Jan. 28, 2016, photo, a bald eagle soars over the Haw River below Jordan Lake in Moncure, North Carolina. An eagle in Allegan County died from avian influenza earlier this month.
In this Jan. 28, 2016, photo, a bald eagle soars over the Haw River below Jordan Lake in Moncure, North Carolina. An eagle in Allegan County died from avian influenza earlier this month.

Highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza can cause severe illness and carry a mortality rate up to 90-100 percent in domestic poultry, according to the CDC.

Cases of avian influenza can spread to humans, but it is rare. The CDC says public health risk associated with HPAI is low. However, ACHD recommends caution for those who own and work with birds and those who hunt wild birds.

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The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development advises several precautions to protect animal and human health. They include preventing contact between domestic and wild birds, washing your hands before and after handling birds, disinfecting boots and other gear when moving between coops, using municipal or well water as drinking water for birds and keeping poultry feed secure to ensure it is not contaminated by wild birds or rodents.

The Department of Natural Resources recommends the temporary removal of bird feeders to help prevent the spread of HPAI. Those keeping their feeders up are asked to observe safety measures.

Highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza can cause severe illness and carry a mortality rate up to 90-100 percent in domestic poultry, according to the CDC.
Highly pathogenic strains of avian influenza can cause severe illness and carry a mortality rate up to 90-100 percent in domestic poultry, according to the CDC.

They include cleaning bird feeders thoroughly once per week, regularly cleaning up bird seed that has fallen below the feeders and not feeding wild birds, particularly ducks and geese, near domestic flocks.

Domestic bird owners should watch for unusual deaths, drops in egg production, significant decreases in water consumption or an increase in sick birds. Suspected bird flu cases for domestic birds should be reported to MDARD by calling 800-292-3939.

Unusual or unexplained deaths among wild birds can be reported to the DNR through the Eyes in the Field app or by calling the Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.

— Contact reporter Mitchell Boatman at mboatman@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on Twitter @SentinelMitch. 

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Bird flu confirmed in Allegan County. No human illness found.