A extremely contagious lethal chicken flu has been detected at Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, one of many nation’s prime egg producers and the largest poultry farm in Michigan.That is Michigan’s fourth industrial poultry farm to be contaminated for the reason that extremely pathogenic avian influenza began spreading in 2022.“Herbruck’s is heartbroken by the lack of any hen, and we have been devastated to be taught that among the hens at our Inexperienced Meadow Organics facility are contaminated with extremely pathogenic Avian Influenza,” mentioned an announcement from Greg Herbruck, CEO of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, headquartered in Ionia County.Inexperienced Meadow Organics is separate from the corporate’s fundamental poultry farm in Saranac.The Michigan Division of Agriculture and Rural Growth introduced Tuesday, April 2 {that a} industrial flock in Ionia County had been contaminated. The information comes lower than every week after chicken flu was detected in a herd of Michigan dairy cows and solely in the future after the second human case was reported in Texas.The U.S. Division of Agriculture requires total contaminated flocks be “depopulated” or killed to forestall the illness from spreading to different birds.Associated: A rooster began gasping for air. Three days later, greater than 60 birds have been lifeless.Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch, which confirmed the an infection at Inexperienced Meadow Organics, didn’t disclose what number of of their birds have been affected. The generational household farm has a flock of 10 million birds throughout services in Michigan, Indiana and Pennsylvania. They provide eggs to grocery shops throughout the Midwest and offered 56 million dozen eggs to McDonald’s in 2021.“Over the weekend, our firm veterinarian observed sick birds on the facility and lab outcomes confirmed our fears that Avian Influenza was current,” Herbruck mentioned. “Our workforce labored rapidly to implement protocols to guard the remainder of our flocks – together with our longstanding biosecurity measures – together with prohibiting motion between our Inexperienced Meadow Organics facility and different websites.”Greater than 82 million birds have died in the USA – making it the deadliest outbreak of avian flu.Wild birds carrying the virus can infect yard and industrial flocks. The flu, which is especially lethal for chickens with a 90% to 100% mortality price, spreads simply by contact with contaminated poultry, gear, and on the clothes and sneakers of farmers.The most recent depend from March reveals almost 118,000 birds have died in Michigan. It was final detected twice in December at Muskegon County turkey farms – impacting almost 80,000 birds.“Because the climate stays cool and wild birds proceed their migration, situations are perfect for the virus to thrive and unfold. Whereas these situations persist, the necessity to take preventative measures will likely be excessive,” mentioned State Veterinarian Dr. Nora Wineland in an announcement. ”Maintaining HPAI out of Michigan’s home animals stays a workforce effort, and it should be a prime precedence for all.”Associated: A lethal chicken flu raised egg costs. Michigan farms vigilantly defend flocks.Some measures embody carrying protecting Tyvek fits, cleansing all vehicles on web site and requiring staff to bathe. At Herbruck’s, biosecurity measures have included requiring employees to clean their automotive tires, spray their sneakers and swap out private garments for uniforms and boots that keep on the farm.“Michigan’s egg farmers are among the many most proactive within the nation, with their diligence resulting in fast detection of HPAI on this flock,” mentioned Dr. Nancy Barr, govt director of Michigan Allied Poultry Industries. “Strict biosecurity measures are in place to guard flocks from the elevated menace of HPAI.”Main outbreaks at poultry farms final 12 months are one of many causes egg costs soared to almost $5 a dozen in early 2023. Egg costs began to climb once more in latest months – going from $2.06 to almost $3 for a dozen Grade A eggs – after tens of millions of birds have been contaminated in November and December.Associated: Dairy cows from industrial Michigan farm contaminated with chicken flu“We stay dedicated to defending the remainder of our flocks and protecting our workforce members and prospects knowledgeable throughout this difficult time, as we work as rapidly and safely as potential to disinfect and start manufacturing once more at this farm,” Herbruck mentioned.Up to now week, chicken flu was detected for the primary time in dairy cattle from Texas, Kansas, Michigan and New Mexico. Cows from Texas contaminated the herd in Michigan, genome testing confirmed. And an individual who contracted the virus had contact with contaminated cattle in Texas.Officers emphasize that no animals or merchandise contaminated with chicken flu will enter the meals chain and the general public well being threat from avian flu stays low.Learn extra statewide protection from MLive