Washtenaw County is the latest county in Michigan to have cases of avian flu. Parrots who lived in a home in Washtenaw County died from the illness. Jennifer Holton with the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development told us more about the bird flu.
“Typically, pet birds who live in a family home are generally unlikely to have contact with wild birds just because they remain indoors,” Holton said. “That being said, they could have come in contact with contaminated material indirectly. Maybe their food was exposed, their water bowl was exposed, cage furniture, even your clothing.”
Holton says Michiganders with pet birds should not store food or water in bowls where wild birds roost or fly. They should also disinfect or change shoes and clothing if they have been worn off of the property.
