News of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1, commonly referred to as bird flu, is spreading across the country with concerns for animal-to-human transmission. The MHA and its partners are monitoring the situation closely with data and resources available:
- HPAI was confirmed in Michigan on March 29, 2024, and has been detected within 10 cattle farms and six poultry facilities across the state.
- Only one human case of HPAI has been identified so far, in an individual in Texas, and transmission risk remains low risk to the general public.
- Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive for the State of Michigan, released a Public Health Bulletin on May 6 with information about the current situation, five action items and additional resources.
- According to the USDA, commercial dairy products remain safe for consumption due to the pasteurization process. There is limited information available about whether HPAI can be transmitted through consumption of raw milk, however it is understood that unpasteurized milk can pose serious health risks to consumers due to the presence of other dangerous microorganisms such as Campylobacter, E. coli and Salmonella. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services released a Raw Milk Risks document, which can be printed and shared.
- Members should refer to the April 24 MI HAN “Clinical Recommendations: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Virus” for more information, as well as the April 5 CDC Health Advisory.
- Hospital infection prevention and control and infectious disease providers are encouraged to use the new HPAI Playbook released by the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology for additional information on identification, patient care, occupational health, outreach considerations and other supplemental resources.
Members with questions may contact Kelsey Ostergren at the MHA.