Bird flu is making its way into local wild mammals. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus was found in young red foxes, or kits, from Lapeer, Macomb, and St. Clair counties. The virus mainly affects poultry, waterfowl, raptors, and scavengers.
The fox kits were reported to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources because of signs of illness they were exhibiting. Two foxes died within hours of collection, one at a later time, and one survived, but it developed blindness and is now housed at a nature center.
Megan Moriarty, the state wildlife veterinarian with the DNR, said, “HPAI H5N1 viruses may occasionally transmit from birds to mammals, as occurred in these cases, and there may be additional detections in other mammals during this outbreak, but they likely will be isolated cases. At this point, it is unclear how the fox kits became infected, but it’s possible that they were exposed by consuming infected birds, such as waterfowl.”
How to Report Suspected HPAI:
Calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.
Calling a local DNR field office to speak to a field biologist.
Using the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app. Choose the “diseased wildlife” reporting option.
Reporting for WGRT – Jennie McClelland
