Health department reminds poultry owners of HPAI concerns

The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency wishes to remind the public that poultry owners need to protect their domestic flocks from Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.

Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has reported increased cases of HPAI in backyard poultry flocks. None, however, have been identified in the tri-county region.

Health officer Rebecca Burns said the agency wishes to share the information with the reminder that steps can be taken to reduce the transmission risk for chickens, ducks and turkeys.

Removing bird feeders and bird baths from yards during the fall migration period is a good first step, Burns noted.

Keeping domestic birds from wild birds is also highly advisable, she added.