Muskegon Officials Issue Public Health Advisory After Large Bird Die-Off

Residents of Muskegon are being warned to take extra caution when it comes to taking care of or interacting with wild birds this week.

A new public health advisory has been issued at the Muskegon County Resource Recovery Center, warning residents to be careful around birds.

Confirmed on their post to social media, a dozen or so birds were found dead there. While the exact cause isn’t confirmed yet, officials suspect it’s Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (also more commonly known as the bird flu.)

The bird flu has been a reoccurrence in West Michigan this year with other warnings being issued to neighboring communities to clean and reduce bird feeding areas while the flu is in season.

As for your personal safety? You don’t have too much to worry about, the risk to people is considered very low. The advisory is really just a reminder to be cautious for the sake of our bird population moreso than ourselves.

Hunters and anyone who handles wild birds should be extra careful. Make sure you wear gloves, wash up, cook meat thoroughly to temperature, and keep your gear clean. And if you ever see a group of dead birds, you can report it through the DNR’s Eyes in the Field tool online.

For the rest of us, it just means keeping our distance if we come across wildlife that looks off. Health officials say symptoms like fever, sore throat, or muscle aches could be a sign of infection if you’ve had direct contact, but again, the chances are slim.

The main thing to remember: don’t touch sick or dead birds if you see them. (It’s really that simple.)

And good news, the recreation areas at the Resource Recovery Center are still open, so this isn’t a “stay away” warning, just a “use some common sense if you’re visiting” one.

So for now, keep enjoying Muskegon’s trails and recreation spots without too much worry. Just steer clear of the sick birds and keep an ear for more updates on social media, and right here.