Lansing, MI – Michigan’s southern regions are grappling with a suspected outbreak of bird flu, believed to have led to the deaths of hundreds of wild birds, state wildlife officials said. This alarming development has prompted swift action from the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR), which has been closely monitoring and responding to the incident since early this year.
The suspected cause of the mass mortality, identified as the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), has been confirmed in more than 300 bird carcasses across five counties. With public concern rising alongside the growing body count, DNR officials are working diligently to assess the impact and prevent further spread of the disease.
Reports from concerned residents like Betsy Sallade-Farina from Hamburg Township highlight the severity of the situation. Discovering numerous dead birds around her home earlier this month, Sallade-Farina expressed shock at the scale of the die-off, a stark contrast to her decades-long experience in the area. Such sights are becoming increasingly common across affected Michigan communities, stirring distress and calls for action.
The DNR’s Wildlife Division, under the leadership of Mitch Marcus, is stressing caution and public safety. Residents are advised against handling dead birds without appropriate protective gear, such as gloves and face masks. Marcus emphasizes that all wild birds should be regarded as potential carriers of diseases, urging the public to maintain a safe distance and report sightings of multiple dead birds to authorities.
The wave of bird casualties isn’t isolated to local waterways or counties but marks a troubling continuation of an epidemic that has touched various United States regions since its initial outbreak in 2022. Wild birds nationwide, including species frequenting Michigan, such as swans, Canada geese, and mallards, have been found dead in troubling numbers.
Sara Thompson, Chief of the DNR Wildlife Division, noted that the infection has been persistent and could continue affecting wild bird populations across Michigan. Despite the immediate impacts at local sites, experts like Kaitlyn Barnes, a DNR wildlife biologist, remain hopeful that the statewide populations of waterfowl will not be significantly diminished in the long run.
The bird flu outbreak in Michigan is part of a larger regional issue, with neighboring states around Lake Michigan also reporting similar cases. The situation is similarly grave in Indiana and Illinois, where local environmental officials have verified the presence of HPAI among deceased waterfowl in recent months.
Though the risk to human health from bird flu remains low, health professionals are not downplaying the caution needed when near potentially infected wildlife. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services advises keeping domestic pets away from wild birds and taking care when disposing of deceased animals.
For handling and disposal, the DNR provides specific guidelines to minimize risks. They recommend using personal protective equipment and securely bagging any found dead birds for regular trash collection, provided they pose no larger safety or health risks.
Concerned citizens can contribute to monitoring efforts through the Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField portal, designed for reporting environmental observations, including unusual wildlife deaths. This collective vigilance is crucial as the state combats this persistent avian health threat, aiming to protect both its wildlife populations and public health.