Lansing, MI — Michigan is grappling with a suspected outbreak of bird flu, as hundreds of wild birds have been found dead across the southern part of the state, state wildlife officials noted. The incident has sparked concern among communities witnessing these unusual deaths, triggering an ongoing investigation by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
The DNR suspects that the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is behind the death of over 300 wild birds spanning five counties since January. These deaths include various species, such as swans, Canada geese, and mallard ducks, raising alarms over the welfare of wildlife and the potential for wider ecological impacts.
Local residents, like Betsy Sallade-Farina from Hamburg Township, have reported disturbing discoveries of multiple avian fatalities near their properties. “This is unprecedented in my lifetime here,” said Sallade-Farina, who found about nine dead birds around her lakeside home early in February, with more found in subsequent days.
In response to the crisis, the DNR’s Wildlife Division has been proactively sampling birds in affected areas to confirm the presence of the virus. Mitch Marcus, DNR Wildlife Health supervisor, advised extreme caution in handling these situations. “Do not touch any dead bird with bare hands. Use protective gloves and equipment,” Marcus emphasized, pointing out the importance of treating every wild bird as potentially diseased.
Detected across multiple counties including Allegan, Shiawassee, Ingham, Eaton, and Washtenaw, the virus also led to significant findings such as 77 dead Canada geese in Allegan’s State Game Area and other waterfowl along bodies of water like the Shiawassee River and Williamston Lakes.
Sara Thompson, DNR Wildlife Division chief, expressed concerns over the persistence of the virus, which has affected various regions of the U.S. since last year. “The continuity of these cases in Michigan mirrors the wider national trend observed since the outbreak’s inception,” she noted.
Despite the troubling number of deaths at specific sites, Kaitlyn Barnes, a DNR wildlife biologist and acting waterfowl specialist, remains optimistic about the overall impact on Michigan’s bird populations. “Localized declines are expected, but the broader statewide populations should remain stable,” Barnes explained.
The bird flu outbreak is not isolated to Michigan. Reports from neighboring states around Lake Michigan, including Indiana and Illinois, have indicated similar occurrences of waterfowl fatalities in recent months. The situation has prompted a coordinated response from several state wildlife agencies.
While the risk to human health is considered low, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises the public to avoid direct contact with wild birds and to maintain a safe distance for domestic animals from wildlife areas.
In addition to following safety protocols for handling bird carcasses, the public is encouraged to report any sightings of six or more deceased wild birds via the Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField website. This reporting will assist officials in tracking and managing the spread of the disease effectively.