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HPAI spreading in Michigan 

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development has now confirmed six cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza in West Michigan in the last few weeks.

Four more commercial poultry flocks in Ottawa County have tested positive since Christmas. USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service says nearly 242,000 Michigan commercial turkeys were impacted during December and the state has reported two additional cases in the last week.

President of the Michigan Agri-Business Association Chuck Lippstreu tells Brownfield everyone in the agriculture value chain needs to do their part to help slow the spread of the virus.

“The challenge continues today and it’s going to continue into 2025,” he says. “One thing that our industry can and should be proud of is the resilience that’s been shown and the ability to pivot that’s going to be needed going forward because we are certainly not out of the woods on this issue.”

In the last 30 days, the USDA says 55 commercial flocks in the U.S. have tested positive for the virus and nearly 10 million birds have been affected.

More than 29.5 million birds have been depopulated across the U.S. since October 1 to prevent disease spread and ensure the safety of the commercial food supply.

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