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Press Release


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 25, 2024

CONTACT: Chelsea Wuth, 517-241-2112, [email protected]

MDHHS hotline for migrant and seasonal farmworkers provides bilingual information about influenza A (H5N1) in three languages

LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services farmworker hotline for seasonal farmworkers, 833-SIAYUDA (833-742-9832), is expanding to include resources and services that assist farmworkers impacted by influenza A (H5N1).

The MDHHS Farmworker Outreach Services Division launched the toll-free SIAYUDA hotline number in February 2023 to provide information and other service referrals in a farmworker’s primary language. Two-thirds of Michigan’s seasonal farmworker population speak only Spanish. The hotline provides English, Spanish and Haitian-Creole translation.

Michigan previously reported two human cases of influenza A (H5N1) in dairy farmworkers, and MDHHS is reminding Michigan residents about the bilingual SIAYUDA hotline that continues to provide prompts and culturally appropriate education to keep Michiganders healthy and safe.

“Immediate bilingual services like translations of safety, well-being and emergency press releases and more are available to seasonal farmworkers through the MDHHS Farmworker Hotline,” said Elizabeth Hertel, director. “MDHHS is proactively providing resources about health topics like influenza A (H5N1) for seasonal farmworkers in Michigan to ensure the health of all residents.”

A translation service is also available for farmworker calls in languages other than English and Spanish. MDHHS contracts with translation service industry professionals to provide quality health care to Michigan residents.

MDHHS continues to provide bilingual residents with tools to prevent disease, improve health outcomes and increase well-being.

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