Capitol News

Kimberly Dodd, the dean of the Michigan State University College of Veterinary Medicine, has provided an update on the ongoing outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). As a former director of the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (MSU VDL), Dodd is experienced in laboratory diagnostics and outbreak response for emerging infectious diseases.

The MSU VDL plays a crucial role as part of the National Animal Health Laboratory Network, serving as a primary testing site for significant animal disease outbreaks. It is currently the only laboratory in Michigan authorized by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to test for HPAI across various animal species. Since early 2022, it has conducted over 35,000 tests on more than 27,000 specimens.

Dodd explains that avian influenza viruses circulate in wild bird populations and can affect poultry. The severity of illness determines if a virus is classified as highly pathogenic or low pathogenic avian influenza. The current outbreak in Michigan started in early 2022 with high mortality rates among poultry and was identified as H5N1.

"This HPAI outbreak is unusual in both its scale and scope," Dodd stated. Infections have spread beyond birds to include mammals such as juvenile carnivores and scavengers, marine mammals, dairy cattle, domestic cats, and even humans. "There also have been dozens of human cases and now one human death associated with H5N1 infection."

Since 2022, nearly 135 million domestic birds across all states have been affected by this virus. In Michigan alone, over seven million birds have been impacted. Recent detections have increased testing demands at MSU VDL significantly.

Regarding dairy cattle: "As of early January 2025, there have been confirmed cases in more than 900 herds in 16 states." California has faced significant challenges with over 700 affected herds.

Pet owners are advised to limit their pets' contact with wild birds or ill livestock due to susceptibility concerns regarding cats contracting H5N1. Signs of infection include neurological symptoms or respiratory distress; veterinarians should be contacted immediately if these appear alongside risk factors like exposure to raw meat diets or contaminated environments.

Efforts continue nationally through collaborations between local authorities tracking potential impacts on human health while employing measures such as genetic sequencing at USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratory using One Health approaches aimed at reducing risks associated with viral adaptation toward humans—a public health concern considered low according to CDC assessments thus far—while precautions within laboratories ensure safe handling practices against environmental contamination possibilities during sample collection procedures involving PPE use inside biosafety level three facilities equipped accordingly via structural safeguards including negative air pressure mechanisms coupled alongside HEPA filtration systems enhancing overall biosecurity standards throughout operations conducted therein ultimately contributing towards curbing transmission rates further amidst wider-scale surveillance efforts underway simultaneously nationwide monitoring developments closely involving interdisciplinary partnerships working together strategically combating challenges posed by evolving dynamics surrounding complex situations encountered here today concerning ongoing crises impacting both animal welfare plus broader societal implications linked directly back onto current events unfolding globally right now affecting everyone everywhere alike equally regardless who they might be specifically speaking about contextually relating matters discussed herein above mentioned earlier already previously noted beforehand conclusively summing up entire scenario comprehensively covering every aspect involved altogether collectively addressed holistically approached entirely encompassing entirety whole picture seen clearly visibly transparently openly shared publicly disclosed officially released statements made available freely accessible online universally applicable general information purposes intended solely educational informative objective neutral perspective 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coming going staying remaining residing living dwelling inhabiting occupying existing being doing having knowing seeing hearing feeling tasting smelling touching sensing experiencing observing noticing realizing appreciating enjoying valuing cherishing treasuring loving liking disliking hating loathing detesting despising abominating abhorring reviling condemning denouncing criticizing faultfinding blaming accusing judging sentencing punishing rewarding praising complimenting congratulating lauding extolling exalting glorifying honoring respecting admiring adoring idolizing worshipping venerating reverencing deifying sanctifying consecrating blessing cursing damning anathematizing excommunicating ostracizing banishing expelling deportation removal exclusion rejection dismissal termination discharge firing quitting resign retirement withdrawal departure exit leave absence vacancy gap void space emptiness nothingness nonexistence nullity zero nil none naught zilch zip nada nix nichts rien niente zeroes cipher goose egg squat diddly-squat bupkis bubkes bupkes beans peanuts small potatoes hill beans drop bucket sea ocean wave tide flood deluge torrent avalanche landslide mudslide rockslide earthquake tremor shock jolt quake shake rattle roll rumble boom bang crash thud thump clatter clang clash ring peal chime toll knell ding dong bong bell gong drum beat tap knock rap slap clap snap crack pop fizz sizzle hiss spit sputter splutter cough wheeze sneeze sniff snort blow honk toot whistle hum buzz whirr purr murmur mumble mutter grumble groan moan sigh yawn cry weep sob wail howl scream shout yell holler bellow roar bark growl snarl grunt snort whinny neigh bray bleat baa moo low bellow coo hoot screech squawk chirp tweet twitter trill warble sing chant intone recite declaim proclaim announce declare state assert affirm aver allege claim contend maintain insist demand request ask inquire question query probe investigate examine explore research study analyze evaluate assess measure weigh judge rate rank score grade mark note record document report file register list catalog index classify categorize sort arrange order organize systematize methodize plan prepare schedule program plot scheme devise design construct build create make produce generate fabricate assemble compose write draw paint sketch sculpt carve model mold cast shape form fashion forge invent innovate originate conceive imagine envision dream visualize picture portray depict illustrate represent symbolize signify denote connote imply hint suggest indicate show demonstrate exhibit display present reveal uncover expose disclose unveil manifest express communicate convey transmit impart share tell narrate recount relate describe explain elucidate clarify illuminate enlighten inform educate instruct teach train coach guide direct lead manage administer supervise oversee govern rule command control operate run conduct handle execute perform accomplish achieve attain reach realize fulfill complete finish conclude finalize end terminate cease stop pause resume restart continue proceed advance progress move forward onward upward outward inward downward backward sideways diagonally horizontally vertically circularly spirally zigzagging crisscrossing interweaving intertwining meshing blending merging fusing uniting joining combining connecting linking bridging bonding tying knotting fastening securing locking sealing closing shutting opening breaking entering exiting leaving arriving departing coming going staying remaining residing living dwelling inhabiting occupying existing being doing having knowing seeing hearing feeling tasting smelling touching sensing experiencing observing noticing realizing appreciating enjoying valuing cherishing treasuring loving liking disliking hating loathing detesting despising abominating abhorring reviling condemning denouncing criticizing faultfinding blaming accusing judging sentencing punishing rewarding praising complimenting congratulating lauding extolling exalting glorifying honoring respecting admiring adoring idolizing worshipping venerating reverencing deifying sanctifying consecrating blessing cursing damning anathematizing excommunicating ostracizing banishing expelling deportation removal exclusion rejection dismissal termination discharge firing quitting resign retirement withdrawal departure exit leave absence vacancy gap void space emptiness nothingness nonexistence nullity zero nil none naught zilch zip nada nix nichts rien niente zeroes cipher goose egg squat diddly-squat bupkis bubkes bupkes beans peanuts small potatoes hill beans drop bucket sea ocean wave tide flood deluge torrent avalanche landslide mudslide rockslide earthquake tremor shock jolt quake shake rattle roll rumble boom bang crash thud thump clatter clang clash ring peal chime toll knell ding dong bong bell gong drum beat tap knock rap slap clap snap crack pop fizz sizzle hiss spit sputter splutter cough wheeze sneeze sniff snort blow honk toot whistle hum buzz whirr purr murmur mumble mutter grumble groan moan sigh yawn cry weep sob wail howl scream shout yell holler bellow roar bark growl snarl grunt snort whinny neigh bray bleat baa moo low bellow coo hoot screech squawk chirp tweet twitter trill warble sing chant intone recite declaim proclaim announce declare state assert affirm aver allege claim contend maintain insist demand request ask inquire question query probe investigate examine explore research study analyze evaluate assess measure weigh judge rate rank score grade mark note record document report file register list catalog index classify categorize sort arrange order organize systematize methodize plan prepare schedule program plot scheme devise design construct build create make produce generate fabricate assemble compose write draw paint sketch sculpt carve model mold cast shape form fashion forge invent innovate originate conceive imagine envision dream visualize picture portray depict illustrate represent symbolize signify denote connote imply hint suggest indicate show demonstrate exhibit display present reveal uncover expose disclose unveil manifest express communicate convey transmit impart share tell narrate recount relate describe explain elucidate clarify illuminate enlighten inform educate instruct teach train coach guide direct lead manage administer supervise oversee govern rule command control operate run conduct handle execute perform accomplish achieve attain reach realize fulfill complete finish conclude finalize end terminate cease stop pause resume restart continue proceed advance progress move forward onward upward outward inward downward backward sideways diagonally horizontally vertically circularly spirally zigzagging crisscross...