Reports from the Ohio Department of Agriculture and local news outlets

Ohio Bird Flu: 931,000 Chickens Culled in Darke County Quarantine

Jan 2, 2025, 02:23 PM

An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, has been confirmed in Darke County, Ohio, where over 931,000 chickens have been culled to prevent the spread of the virus. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources is also investigating the deaths of wild birds, including geese and swans, presumed to be linked to the virus. Farms in the affected areas are under quarantine. The outbreak has extended to nine counties in Ohio, raising concerns about the spread of the H5N1 strain. The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and other health authorities are monitoring the situation closely, emphasizing that the risk to the general public remains low. However, experts warn that the virus's potential to mutate poses a risk of human-to-human transmission. Similar outbreaks have been reported in other states, including Pennsylvania and Delaware, with hundreds of wild birds found dead. Measures are being taken to contain the outbreak, including testing and quarantine protocols.