Van Buren and Cass County District Health Department

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)
Michigan's preparation and response to Avian Influenza

Avian Influenza --the bird flu--is a disease caused by a virus that infects wild birds such as geese, ducks, swans and shorebirds, domestic poultry, and in rare cases, other animals and humans. Information about Avian Influenza, what the state of Michigan is doing to prepare for the possible detection of the strain of Avian Influenza originally documented in Asian countries and what precautions the public should take can be found in a brochure produced by the Michigan Department of Community Health (click here to download this brochure).

WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A DEAD BIRD

Please Note: Only sick or dead waterfowl, gulls or shorebirds will be laboratory tested for avian influenza; and only if they are from a die-off (a die-off is defined as 6 or more birds found sick or dead in a short time period). If you see a die-off of waterfowl, gulls or shorebirds, please call the Department of Natural Resources Wildlife Disease Lab at (517) 336-5030 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. After hours: 1-800-292-7800

For more information or online reporting go to: www.mighigan.gov/avianinfluenza

How are avian, pandemic, and seasonal flu different?
Avian flu is caused by avian influenza viruses, which occur naturally among birds.

Pandemic flu is flu that causes a global outbreak, or pandemic, of serious illness that spreads easily from person to person. Currently there is no pandemic flu.

West Nile Virus

When dealing with West Nile virus, prevention is your best bet. Fighting mosquito bites reduces your risk of getting this disease, along with others that mosquitoes can carry. Take the commonsense steps below to reduce your risk:

Something to remember: The chance that any one person is going to become ill from a single mosquito bite remains low. The risk of severe illness and death is highest for people over 50 years old, although people of all ages can become ill.

Lyme Disease
Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and is transmitted to humans by the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans. If left untreated, infection can spread to joints, the heart, and the nervous system.

Lyme disease is diagnosed based on symptoms, physical findings (e.g., rash), and the possibility of exposure to infected ticks; laboratory testing is helpful in the later stages of disease. Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated successfully with a few weeks of antibiotics. Steps to prevent Lyme disease include using insect repellent, removing ticks promptly, landscaping, and integrated pest management. The ticks that transmit Lyme disease can occasionally transmit other tick-borne diseases as well.

Clinical Lyme disease in domestic animals may involve many organ systems. Fever, loss of appetite, depression, lethargy, swelling and pain in one or more joints, kidney disease, heart disease, and nervous system disorders have all been reported. An accurate diagnosis can only be made by a veterinarian. A Lyme disease vaccine is available. Consult your veterinarian about the appropriateness of vaccinating your pet and also to discuss recommendations for avoiding ticks.