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.

Share this story

Restaurants are starting to crack under the weight of the egg crisis.

The latest: Waffle House announced Tuesday it's adding a temporary surcharge of 50 cents per egg as the situation escalates, and industry experts think other chains will follow suit.

What we're watching: Egg prices keep breaking new records, with no end in sight.

• Midwest large eggs were averaging $7.79 per dozen as of Tuesday, per Karyn Rispoli, managing editor for eggs in the Americas for price-reporting service Expana.

Go deeper: Waffle House ushers in the era of the egg surcharge

A suspect was arrested yesterday following a deadly mass shooting at a New Albany warehouse Tuesday night.

Catch up quick: The shooting took place at the manufacturing facility of KDC/ONE, a global cosmetics company.

• One person died and five others were injured, WOSU reports.
• Police have not named any of the victims or elaborated on their condition.
• About 150 people were inside the building. The shooter was an employee at the facility, the Dispatch reports.

The suspect: About 12 hours later, police arrested 28-year-old Bruce Reginald Foster III at an apartment complex between the Short North and Ohio State's campus, per WOSU.

• He has been charged with aggravated murder in the Licking County Court of Common Pleas.

What's next: New Albany Police Chief Greg Jones told reporters the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification and multiple federal agencies are aiding the investigation.

What they're saying: In a statement provided to Axios, KDC/ONE CEO Nick Whitley said the company was "shocked and saddened" by the shooting.

• "Our thoughts and prayers are with those impacted and their families. The safety and well-being of our employees is our top priority. We are actively assisting the New Albany Police Department in their ongoing investigation and are sincerely grateful for the swift action of our local authorities and first responders."

We're so thankful to our members for their support of our work through their contribution to our newsroom.

If you join as an Axios Columbus member, you'll get insider notes from the team, birthday shoutouts in the newsletter and other perks.

• Plus, you'll be part of our growth and ensure that our news is always free and accessible to the community.

We're grateful for your trust and continued readership.

🪧 Hundreds gathered at the Ohio Statehouse Wednesday as part of nationwide "50 states, 50 protests, one day" protests. (Statehouse News Bureau)

💨 Ohio brought in about $40 million in tax revenue from the first six months of recreational marijuana sales. (WOSU)

⚖️ A Canton man received a life sentence after pleading guilty to the murder of Columbus rapper B Att at a downtown nightclub in 2023. (WBNS-TV)

⚽️ The Crew lost another fan-favorite striker, trading Christian Ramirez to the LA Galaxy. (Dispatch)

👋 Another vendor, The Cheesecake Girl, has left Bubbly Food Hall in New Albany, continuing the fallout of the hall's owners filing for bankruptcy last year. (WCMH-TV)

Just a reminder … Valentine's Day is a week from tomorrow.

• There's still time to plan a romantic evening or at least have the zoo name a superworm after your ex.

Yes, but: Don't be like Dena's boyfriend.

Flashback: Dena wrote to columnist Ann Landers in 1961 complaining about never receiving a Valentine's Day gift.

• "I'd like to say a word to him but I don't know what. Can you help me?"

🫢 Ann's response: "The word you're looking for is 'goodbye.'"