Michigan Advance: Bilingual Health Resources on Bird Flu Now Accessible for Seasonal Workers in Michigan

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) will be providing new bilingual health resources for seasonal workers regarding influenza A. This comes after the MDHHS reported two cases of influenza A, or bird flu, among dairy workers in Michigan this year. The new resources will include releases and a hotline to assist those who may be impacted. It is important to note that bird flu has been spreading in dairy and poultry farms across the U.S. this spring.

MDHHS Director Elizabeth Hertel emphasized the proactive approach by providing resources on health topics like influenza A (H5N1) to ensure the well-being of all residents, particularly seasonal farmworkers in Michigan. The hotline was launched in February 2023 and offers services in English, Spanish, and Haitian-Creole. Additional phone call translation services are also available for languages other than English and Spanish. It is crucial to address the language barrier as two-thirds of seasonal farmworkers in Michigan primarily speak Spanish.