Congressman John D. Dingell

Washington, DC - Congressman John D. Dingell (D-MI15) made the following statement today concerning the presence of H5 and N1 avian influenza subtypes in samples from two wild mute swans sampled at the Pointe Mouillee State Game Area located on the coast of Lake Erie in Monroe County, Michigan.

“The most important thing to stress here is that this is NOT the bird flu that has created such havoc in Asia, Europe and Africa. The viral strains discovered in Monroe are not a threat to human health, but we must take their discovery seriously. My office has been in contact with Governor Granholm’s office and I am satisfied that Michigan’s Departments of Natural Resources (DNR), Agriculture (MDA), and Community Health (DCH) have acted swiftly and wisely to examine the situation. Based on what they have told us, I would have no fear going into the areas of Monroe where these birds were discovered. I am confident this situation is under control.

“This discovery does reinforce the urgent need for the Bush Administration to devote sufficient federal resources to help every state develop a comprehensive plan for public health emergencies, including pandemic influenza. A broad-based public health advocacy organization, Trust for America’s Health, has assessed each state’s preparedness for public health emergencies, including pandemic influenza. Their assessment tells us that no state is fully prepared to deal with pandemic influenza or a range of other public health emergencies. I will continue to encourage the Administration to work with Congress to develop a comprehensive public health preparedness plan. Meanwhile, I will once again emphasize that the strains announced this morning do NOT indicate any threat to human or animal health at this time.”

Additional information:

Michigan Department of Agriculture website

Michigan Emerging Disease website

MSU Extension

US Department of Agriculture

US Department of Health and Human Services