COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — Millions of birds across the United States have been infected with the avian flu and Ohio leads all states in case numbers.
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Ohio leads the country with over 5.7 million birds affected in the state since Feb. 28. This includes 28 commercial flocks and three backyard flocks. Ohio reported a human case on Feb. 12 to a farm worker in Mercer County infected.
Ohio Governor Mike DeWine addressed concerns on the bird flu Thursday afternoon in Versailles, a city located in Darke County in western Ohio that is the “center” for egg and poultry production in the state, said DeWine.
DeWine led his news conference by stating over 15 million birds have been destroyed as a result. He called on the federal government to be more active in its research of the disease.
“They will have to accelerate the research being done in regards to bird flu,” said DeWine. “This has ramifications not only for the farmers in the western part of the state of Ohio, but we also obviously have bigger ramifications.”
One of the major effects of bird flu has been the skyrocketing of egg prices across the country along with the disease spreading among wild birds such as geese, ducks, bald eagles and red-tailed hawks. Cats and dogs are also susceptible to the disease.
Agricultural health leaders from the state discussed studying an effective way to utilize a vaccine strategy for the birds. They said detection rate has slowed down but are continuing to have farmers disinfect areas from bird flu daily. “The farms are prepared. They are resilient. They will survive,” said James Chakeres, the executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association.
Since the start of 2024, only 68 confirmed cases in humans have been reported in the U.S. Only three of those cases have been people outside of commercial agriculture. The fatality rate of human bird flu cases is 52%, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The Ohio Division of Wildlife asks those who observe a bird with symptoms to call them at 800-945-3543. Backyard producers that have concerns about HPAI in their flock should contact the ODA at 614-728-6220 and commercial producers should contact the Ohio Poultry Association at 614-882-6111.