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State agriculture officials say highly pathogenic avian influenza detected in Ottawa and Jackson Counties

Public Domain

Two Ottawa County commercial poultry facilities impacted.

Two Ottawa County commercial poultry facilities and a backyard flock in Jackson County are the latest locations where Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory testing has detected highly pathogenic avian influenza. The observation marks the third and fourth cases of infected Ottawa County flocks this month.

The Jackson County case is the latest since the HPAI outbreak began in 2022.

After conducting its investigation, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development Director Tim Boring said, “Following biosecurity protocols, like using personal protective equipment when caring for animals, is critical to ensuring the health of humans and animals.”

The Ottawa and Jackson County locations are under quarantine and the flocks will be depopulated preventing HPAI spread and entry into the commercial food chain.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the public health risk is low.

Patrick joined WGVU Public Media in December, 2008 after eight years of investigative reporting at Grand Rapids' WOOD-TV8 and three years at WYTV News Channel 33 in Youngstown, Ohio. As News and Public Affairs Director, Patrick manages our daily radio news operation and public interest television programming. An award-winning reporter, Patrick has won multiple Michigan Associated Press Best Reporter/Anchor awards and is a three-time Academy of Television Arts & Sciences EMMY Award winner with 14 nominations.