Avian flu in three Michigan dairy herds

 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) announced positive tests for highly-pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cows in Clinton, Gratiot and Ionia counties.

The department is urging farmers to practice enhanced biosecurity, regardless of species.

The advice includes isolating new or returning animals on farms, monitoring the health of animals daily, and cleaning and disinfecting trailers used to haul animals.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently said it will provide $98 million to help states and ranchers keep the virus from spreading.

State and federal officials continue to monitor cases in 42 herds.

Beyond efforts on farms, U.S. senator Chuck Grassley, a Republican from Iowa, and senators Amy Klobachar, a Democragt from Minnesota, and John Cornyn, a Republican from Texas, sent a joint letter to the USDA, the Food and Drug Administration and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention calling for “interagency coordination” to provide “up-to-date, accurate information on the spread of HPAI, particularly