Two commercial laying hen flocks in Ohio have been struck by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), including one that involved more than 3 million birds.

Avian influenza is in the same virus family as seasonal flu. Poultry has proven to be very sensitive to the virus, which results in high mortality.

The first human case of bird flu in Ohio was reported in a farm worker from Mercer County. There have been 68 human cases of bird flu in 11 states since January 1, 2024, including one death in Louisiana. The overall risk of contracting bird flu remains low, but those in close contact with infected poultry should take precautions.

Ohio’s director of ag says the state has become a national hotspot for highly pathogenic avian influenza this year. Brian Baldridge says more than 11.5 million birds have been depopulated because of the virus.

Five birds in a backyard poultry flock in Stark County tested positive for bird flu. The National Veterinary Services Laboratory confirmed the birds were positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza on Feb. 18, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. The five infected birds were destroyed.

An Ohio Poultry Association executive told the Ohio House Agriculture Committee that farmers “are in the fight of their lives”

In an effort to lessen the burdens caused by these conditions, the Ohio Treasurer’s office will be offering an enhanced Ag-LINK application window for commercial poultry farmers in counties affected

Bird flu has now spread to humans in a dozen states after public health officials confirmed an Ohio man had contracted the disease. The Mercer County farm worker had come into contact with deceased commercial poultry,

With emergencies declared for bird flu in Mercer and Darke counties, 2 NEWS is digging deeper into how the virus spreads. Avian Influenza has been detected at more than

A Mercer County farm worker came into contact with dead poultry that was infected with the disease, the state's health department reports.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WSYX) — Ohio has its first case of bird flu transmitted to a person, according to state health officials. The Ohio Department of Health on Wednesday announced the state’s first probable human case of influenza A (H5), also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

HPAI was confirmed in 34 U.S. commercial egg layer flocks in 2024, totaling over 40 million layers lost to the virus. December saw the most flocks affected at 15, impacting 14 million layers. Over eight million layers were lost in April, followed by approximately five million in May and four million in November.