TOLEDO, Ohio — As cases of bird flu continue to spread across Ohio, the Ohio Poultry Association (OPA), which represents over 1,000 egg, chicken, and turkey farmers statewide, is urging poultry owners to heighten their biosecurity measures to prevent further outbreaks. The spread of the H5N1 strain of avian influenza has already impacted both backyard flocks and large-scale poultry distributors, and experts warn that the situation may worsen in the coming weeks.
In response to the recent uptick in cases, the OPA has called for all poultry owners to reinforce disease prevention practices on their farms. This includes limiting on-farm visitors and restricting vehicles that may carry the virus. While the organization acknowledges that biosecurity measures are crucial, it also notes that they are not foolproof, as migrating wild birds have been a key factor in the transmission of the disease.
The emergence of bird flu has drawn significant attention in Washington, D.C., as well. Secretary Brooke Rollins, who was confirmed to lead the U.S. Department of Agriculture just days before the outbreak intensified, said that the issue was at the forefront of her first briefing. “My very first briefing in my office last night was on this particular issue, was on the again bird flu,” Rollins remarked.
Julie Melotti, a wildlife pathologist with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, noted that the virus never fully disappeared after its initial wave in 2022. “It’s been here at low levels, and we might see a resurgence like this,” Melotti explained. Unfortunately, that’s precisely what Ohio is experiencing.
The OPA has emphasized that the state’s poultry farmers are doing everything in their power to mitigate the risk of infection. “Extensive on-farm biosecurity and stringent disease prevention practices in place are effective, but not foolproof,” said Jim Chakeres, Executive Vice President of the OPA. “The migration of wild birds and waterfowl spreading the disease has led to continued cases of bird flu in Ohio’s commercial poultry flocks.”
Wildlife experts like Mike Reynolds of the Ohio Department of Natural Resources have warned that migrating waterfowl, along with local resident birds, are significant carriers of the virus. The movement of these birds has made it difficult to contain the virus, especially during seasonal migrations.
This week, Ohio health officials confirmed the state’s first human case of bird flu. The individual, a farm worker, contracted the virus through direct contact with deceased birds. Despite the alarming news, the OPA and health authorities have reassured the public that the risk of avian influenza to human health remains low. Both the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have stated that the virus cannot be transmitted through properly handled and thoroughly cooked poultry products. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) continues to stress that the public’s risk remains minimal.
In response to the growing concerns, the Ohio Department of Agriculture, along with the USDA, has been working closely with farmers in the affected counties to implement emergency measures to curb the spread of the disease. These efforts include enhanced surveillance, containment procedures, and guidelines for disinfecting farm equipment.
The OPA remains committed to supporting farmers during this challenging time, as they continue to monitor the situation closely and implement strategies to protect both their flocks and public health.