A bird flu outbreak has infected and killed more than 21.5 million birds in Ohio across 70 commercial flocks and 11 backyard flocks since it began in 2022, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. 

About half of those Ohio birds (nearly 11 million) have been affected just since December, more than in any other state. Ohio is the second-largest egg-producing state after Iowa.  

The largest clusters of affected flocks are in Darke and Mercer counties in western Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health. Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a type of flu that spreads in birds, cows and other animals. 

The Ohio Department of Health (ODH) last week reported Ohio’s first probable human case of bird flu – a farm worker in Mercer County. The worker was in contact with deceased commercial poultry. As of Wednesday, the CDC reported 69 confirmed human cases and one death associated with H5N1, the subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) that is circulating, since the beginning of 2024.

The disease is affecting more than just the commercial poultry industry.

Dr. Mike Selig, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo’s Head of Veterinary Programs, told Signal Cleveland the zoo has been monitoring Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) since the initial outbreak in February 2022. More recently it appears that the virus is affecting a wider variety of species in addition to birds, including carnivores (most notably cats – domestic and exotic) as well as dairy cattle.

“At this time, we are fortunate that most of our birds are inside due to the winter,” Selig said in an email. Most of those that remain outside are less susceptible to the virus. Keepers are also changing the ways they feed the outside birds to reduce exposure to native birds.

At the end of January, the Akron Zoo temporarily moved some of its birds indoors as a precaution, since infected native birds that land on zoo grounds could spread the disease.  

Dead geese have been found on the Tuscarawas River in Springfield Township, and in Summit County, a bald eagle suspected of having bird flu died. 

“Our number one concern of this transmission is through migratory birds and fly patterns and these types of things,” said Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge. 

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is a type of flu that spreads in birds, cows and other animals and is prevalent right now in Ohio. The largest clusters of affected flocks are in Darke and Mercer counties in western Ohio, according to the Ohio Department of Health. (Graphic courtesy of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Ohio agriculture hit hard by infections

The mortality rate in infected birds is very high, Baldridge said. And Ohio’s $124 billion agriculture industry, with more than 76,000 farms in the state, is its number one industry, so an outbreak of this scale has a significant impact. Most infected poultry are quickly euthanized once an outbreak is detected.

Farmers like Baldridge love their livestock and may start noticing subtle differences early. He said it could be as simple as noticing that a barn is quieter than normal.   

What are the clinical signs of bird flu? Lethargy, decreased appetite or water consumption, respiratory symptoms, swelling of a bird’s head and eyelids, a drop in egg production, lack of coordination or sudden death can be indicators that a bird is infected. 

The key is to quarantine a site when there is a potential infection so that the disease is contained, Baldridge said. 

Digitally-colorized transmission electron microscopic image of Avian Influenza A H5N1 virus particles
Digitally-colorized transmission electron microscopic image of Avian Influenza A H5N1 virus particles (seen in gold), grown in Madin-Darby Canine Kidney (MDCK) epithelial cells (seen in green). (CDC/ Courtesy of Cynthia Goldsmith; Jacqueline Katz; Sherif R. Zaki)

“And then, you know, our goal is to get these facilities back up and going,” he added. 

For that to happen, USDA guidelines state that the affected flock must be depopulated and the barn and equipment must be disinfected, followed by additional tests. 

The process from detecting signs of illness to restocking facilities usually takes 60 to 120 days but could be longer. 

“It is an impact to our farmers, tremendously,” Baldridge said, especially in Darke, Mercer, Van Wert and Auglaize counties. 

The USDA does have measures in place to compensate producers for their losses, but “it doesn’t make them whole by any means,” Baldridge said.

People are generally not at risk of contracting bird flu

At this time, the overall risk of contracting bird flu is very low for the general public, said Erika Sobolewski, the medical director at Summit County Public Health. 

It is safe to eat properly cooked poultry and eggs, Sobolewski said. And dairy products are OK as well, as long as they’ve been pasteurized. She recommended following the CDC’s safer food guide, which indicates the proper internal temperatures for cooking poultry. 

(Baldridge suggested eating a “wonderful omelette,” like he did on a recent morning, and continuing to support Ohio producers.) 

People with close, prolonged and unprotected contact with infected birds are at a greater risk of infection, according to ODH. There are no known cases of human-to-human transmission at this time, but infectious disease specialists worry that the virus will continue to adapt in order to infect humans better, with potential for a possible pandemic. 

Of the 68 confirmed human cases, “all but three had known exposure to sick birds, dairy, you know, commercial agriculture,” Sobolewski said. 

The best way for the general public to prevent bird flu is to avoid any exposure by staying away from wild birds and sick or dead poultry, Sobolewski said. Adults should keep an eye on their children (especially if they love to collect bird feathers) and on pets that may interact with animals outside. Sobolewski said that people know their pets the best — not all pets are likely to interact with wild birds — but “avoidance, avoidance, avoidance” is the advice.

“A lot is unknown, so our recommendation is to be as cautious as possible,” Sobolewski said.

Report sick birds in the wild 

People should report sightings of birds that may have bird flu to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife by calling 800-945-3534. In particular, ODNR is seeking reports of dead birds in groups of more than six and any sick or dead raptors (like bald eagles). 

Reports of sick or dead backyard or hobby flocks can be made to the Ohio Department of Agriculture  at 614-728-6220, and reports of affected commercial poultry flocks can be made to the Ohio Poultry Association at 614-882-6111. When calling, ask for the sick-bird coordinator. 

If handling a sick or dead bird is necessary, Sobolewski recommended wearing protection against the virus. People should wear disposable gloves and respiratory protection, like an N95 mask, as well as shoe coverings, so they do not track anything into their house. Dead birds should be wrapped in two bags, she said. 

If someone comes into contact with a potentially infected animal, they should call their local medical provider and notify the health department, Sobolewski said. Because of the low number of humans infected with bird flu, health professionals are still trying to hone in on what the symptoms are and will want to monitor for any kind of illness for at least two weeks, she said. Some examples of symptoms that have been seen so far are conjunctivitis, fever, cough, body aches, diarrhea and nausea.

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.