Ohio leads the nation in recent bird flu cases
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Ohio is experiencing its worst bird flu spike in over a year, USDA data shows.
Why it matters: Ohio leads the nation in confirmed cases within commercial poultry flocks over the past month, devastating farms and exacerbating egg shortages.
- Agriculture is our state's No. 1 industry and we're one of the country's top egg-producing states.
The big picture: While the nationwide outbreak started in 2022, there are rising concerns that the crisis may be entering a troubling new phase, with cases surging and a new strain detected in California.
By the numbers: Nearly 10 million commercial birds like chickens and turkeys have been affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza in Ohio since late December 2024, per a USDA database.
- All are along the state's western edge, in Darke, Mercer and Van Wert counties.
- Before this spike started, Ohio hadn't logged a significant number of bird flu cases since December 2023.
Stunning stat: The number of birds affected by Ohio's recent outbreak has already exceeded the total number affected in all other outbreaks since 2022.
How it works: Cases are likely originating from migratory birds such as Canada geese, which are active this time of year, Ohio Department of Agriculture director Brian Baldridge tells Axios.
- If bird flu is detected in a commercial facility, birds are "depopulated" and composted on site, per USDA guidelines, to limit spread among farms.
- "Unfortunately this is a very populated area of livestock, especially poultry," Baldridge says about the recent outbreak. "It's hit an area we're very concerned about."
What they're saying: "Extensive on-farm biosecurity and stringent disease prevention practices in place are effective, but not foolproof," an Ohio Poultry Association statement notes.
Zoom in: Beyond Western Ohio, reports of dead wild waterfowl throughout the state are presumed to be bird flu, per the Ohio Division of Wildlife.
- The division is monitoring cases of dead birds recently reported in Hilliard, a spokesperson tells Axios.
- The Columbus Zoo recently pulled birds indoors as a precaution, including flamingos, swans, pelicans, and cranes.
Threat level: Human infection is possible, but rare, the CDC says. A total of 67 people nationwide, mostly agriculture workers, have caught bird flu. One died in Louisiana.
- Poultry and eggs are still safe to eat if they're stored and cooked properly, per the USDA.
How to help: Report sick or dead wild birds to 1-800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) or wildohio.gov.
Go deeper: Waffle House ushers in the era of the egg surcharge