ALPENA — State investigators have confirmed a backyard Alpena County flock has been infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said in a news release Monday.

The news release did not say where in the county the infected flock was located.

The infection is Alpena County’s first bird flu case since officials first confirmed the presence of the disease in MIchigan in 2022.

The affected property is under quarantine and the affected birds were killed to prevent the spread of the disease, the state said.

The risk to people remains low, the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development said, citing the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. No infected birds will enter the commercial food chain, the state said.

Bird flu is highly contagious and can spread in various ways from flock to flock, including through contact with wild birds, by equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers, the state said.

The state offered the following tips to prevent the spread of bird flu:

* Prevent contact between domestic and wild birds by bringing domestic birds indoors or ensuring their outdoor area is fully enclosed.

* Wash your hands before and after handling birds, as well as when moving between different coops.

* Disinfect boots and other gear when moving between coops.

* Do not share equipment or other supplies between coops or other farms.

* Clean and disinfect equipment and other supplies between uses. If it cannot be disinfected, discard it.

* Use well or municipal water as drinking water for birds.

* Keep poultry feed secure to ensure there is no contact between the feed/feed ingredients and wild birds or rodents.

The state asks Michiganders to report suspected bird flu cases.

Domestic bird owners and caretakers should watch for multiple sudden deaths in their flock, a drop in egg production, a significant decrease in water consumption, diarrhea, sneezing/coughing, or an increase in sick birds.

If avian influenza is suspected in domestic birds, contact the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development immediately at 800-292-3939 during the daytime or 517-373-0440 after hours.

If anyone notices what appears to be unusual or unexplained deaths among wild bird populations, report it to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources by using the DNR’s Eyes in the Field app, selecting the “Diseased Wildlife” option among the selections for Observation Forms, or by calling the DNR Wildlife Disease Laboratory at 517-336-5030.

More information can be found online at Michigan.gov/BirdFlu.