Share:
Font Size:
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) Basics
What is HPAI?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 bird flu, is a highly contagious and often deadly disease in poultry, caused by avian influenza Type A viruses. HPAI viruses naturally spread among wild birds and can infect domestic poultry and other bird and animal species. While HPAI typically does not infect humans, there have been occasional cases of human infection primarily tied to close contact with infected animals.
How does it spread?
In birds, these viruses infect the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts and are shed in feces. Direct infection of wild birds, poultry, and mammals can occur through exposure to saliva, mucus, or feces of infected birds. The transmission between and from dairy cows is still being investigated and may involve milking equipment.
Human infections can happen when enough virus gets into a person's eyes, nose, or mouth, or is inhaled. This can happen if the virus is in the air (in droplets or possibly dust) and a person breathes it in, or if the person touches a contaminated surface and then touches their mouth, eyes, or nose.
- HPAI infections in people happen most often after close, prolonged, and unprotected (no gloves or other protective wear) contact with infected birds or other animals. People with close or prolonged contact with infected birds or animals or their contaminated environments are at greater risk of infection.
- H5N1 Bird Flu How is it Spreading? (cdc.gov) Infographic
Recommendations for the Public
- The best prevention is to avoid exposure. Avoid close, long, or unprotected exposures to sick or dead animals, including wild birds, poultry, domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals (including cows), and their feces, contaminated materials, and surfaces. Avoid contact between pets and wild birds.
- Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn when in direct or close contact with sick or dead animals.
- PPE recommendations
- Report suspected HPAI infections among animals:
- For Domestic Animals:
- Contact the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) at 1-800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after-hours).
- How to Recognize a Sick Bird
- For Wildlife
- Contact Michigan Department of Natural Resources at 517-336-5030
- Eyes in the Field: Online Form
- For Domestic Animals:
- Avoid consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk or raw milk products. Choosing pasteurized milk is the best way to keep you and your family safe.
- Properly prepare and cook poultry, meat and eggs.
- Information for hunters: General safety guidelines for hunters
- Information for People Exposed to Birds or Other Animals Infected with HPAI
- Limit contact between pets and wild birds, ill livestock, and environments where the virus could be present.
- Wash your hands thoroughly after touching or interacting with animals outside your household.
HPAI In Poultry, Cattle & Protections For Farm Workers
- HPAI viruses cause severe illness in birds and can wipe out entire flocks in days. Potential symptoms include sudden death, drop in egg production, nasal discharge, coughing, sneezing, and diarrhea.
- Unlike HPAI in birds which is typically deadly, infection in dairy cows is typically mild with most recovering. The virus may cause a decreased milk supply along with other mild symptoms.
- Resources for commercial and backyard flock owners, cattle and poultry farm checklists and guidance for farm workers:
- For Farm Workers and PPE Guidance:
- MDHHS Multilingual Hotline for seasonal farmworkers, 833-SIAYUDA (833-742-9832), includes resources and services that assist farmworkers impacted by influenza A (H5N1).
Raw Milk Safety & Concerns
- Pasteurization, or the process of heating milk to kill harmful bacteria and viruses, has been shown to be effective in inactivating HPAI. Current research does not confirm if HPAI viruses can be transmitted through consuming unpasteurized (raw) milk or products made from raw milk from infected cows. However, raw milk can contain harmful germs, including the HPAI virus that could pose serious health risks. Pasteurization helps eliminate such pathogens, making the commercial milk supply safe for consumers.
- For more information about raw milk safety:
For Healthcare Providers
- Evaluate the possibility of HPAI virus infection in patients with respiratory symptoms and/or conjunctivitis and relevant exposure history, especially contact with cattle, poultry, or who have consumed raw milk.
- For full recommendations and details on testing and specimen collection: