(WWJ) — The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is sounding the alarm as bird flu continues to spread in wild bird populations across the state.
The DNR on Tuesday said it recently sampled dead wild birds suspected to be positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at multiple locations across Lower Michigan.
HPAI is a “highly contagious respiratory disease that causes sickness and sometimes death in birds and mammals,” according to the DNR. The virus spreads through fecal droppings or nasal discharge of an infected bird, which contaminates the environment.
So far in 2025, the DNR says more than 300 dead wild birds have been discovered in five counties.
DNR staffers collected 77 dead Canada geese and one dead mallard from the Fennville Farm Unit at Allegan State Game Area in Allegan County, about 40 miles southwest of Grand Rapids.
More than 80 dead Canada geese were reported along the Shiawassee River near Owosso in Shiawassee County, while about 25 dead Canada geese were reported at Williamston Lakes in Ingham County, and another 20 dead birds were reported along the Grand River in Grand Ledge in Eaton County. About 100 dead birds were reported in Washtenaw County, according to the DNR.
The department says samples collected from the Allegan State Game Area, Shiawassee River, Williamston Lakes and Washtenaw County sites were sent to the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostics Laboratory in East Lansing for testing.
Preliminary results indicate bird flu is suspected.
When an avian influenza virus is detected, the samples are forwarded to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Veterinary Services Laboratory in Ames, Iowa, for confirmatory testing, which can take weeks to months to complete. The national laboratory will test for, confirm and identify any highly pathogenic strains of an avian influenza virus.
Confirmed positive cases are posted on the DNR HPAI webpage. Despite the reported numbers, the DNR says HPAI is widespread in wild birds throughout Michigan and even if a county does not have a confirmed case listed, HPAI could still be present.
The DNR says if you observe a die-off of six or more wild birds, you should report it to the DNR at Michigan.gov/EyesInTheField and you should leave them alone.
You can also report wild birds or other wild animals that appear sick.
“Dead wild birds should be left to naturally decompose if they are in an area where it is difficult to get to them, or where people and domestic animals will not have contact with them. A fresh carcass can spread disease, but as the animal decomposes, the virus will die,” the DNR said in a press release.
“If you find a dead wild bird, you should leave it alone; however, if you need to remove it, do not touch it with your bare hands. You should wear gloves and other personal protective equipment,” said Mitch Marcus, DNR Wildlife Health supervisor. “The best advice we can give is to treat every wild bird as though it has a disease.”
HPAI cannot be detected without testing. Some birds are carriers of the virus, but are healthy and may never get sick, even though they can spread the disease.
Full details on the recent bird die-offs can be found on the DNR website.