(WWJ) Oakland County health officials have identified another person who came into contact with birds infected by bird flu.
Last week, the Oakland County Health Division said it is monitoring a situation involving highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, identified in animals at the farm at Hess-Hathaway Park in Waterford Township. At that time, the area was quarantined, and multiple sources, including the Oakland Press and Detroit Free Press, reported that over 100 ducks, chickens, geese and turkeys were euthanized.
Health officials said 11 people were also placed in quarantine after coming into contact with the infected flock.
Christie Clement-Halladay, the head of the Oakland County Communicable Disease Unit says only one person in the group has experienced any symptoms and tested negative.
She said that, over the weekend, twelfth person was identified as having been in contact with the infected birds, and is now under quarantine. All 12 people will be monitored for symptoms for a ten-day period.
Meanwhile, until further notice, portions of the Hess-Hathaway Park farm will be closed, to protect the animals, staff and visitors.
"We definitely don't want people to panic, but we want them to be aware," Clement-Halladay said, in an interview with WWJ's Tracey McCaskill on Monday. "There have not been any human-to-human cases of transmission, and the risk to the general public is very low."
"We do want people to be aware that, if they have contact with birds — there are a lot of municipalities that have local ordonnances that allow backyard flocks. So, just use caution if they are coming in contact with birds," she said. "And if they do come in contact with sick or dead birds, they should definitely wear protective equipment."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu have been reported in the United States since April of 2024.
Call your doctor if you’ve had close contact with domestic fowl or wild birds and have bird flu symptoms:
- Eye redness and irritation (conjunctivitis)
- Mild fever (100 degrees Fahrenheit or greater) or feeling feverish (fever may not always be present)
- Cough
- Sore throat
- Runny or stuffy nose
- Muscle or body aches
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Less common symptoms include diarrhea, nausea or vomiting.
Bird flu can range from asymptomatic to severe.
How to report concerns: If bird flu is suspected in a domestic flock, contact Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD) immediately at 800-292-3939 (daytime) or 517-373-0440 (after hours). The public can also report cases of unusual or unexplained deaths among wild bird populations by contacting the Michigan Department of Natural Resources at 517-336-5030.
More information about bird flu can be found on the Health Division’s website at oakgov.com/health or by contacting Nurse on Call at 800-848-5533 or noc@oakgov.com. For more bird flu information from the state, visitmichigan.gov/birdflu.