Ohio is facing its worst bird flu outbreak in over a year, with nearly 10 million commercial birds affected since late December 2024, according to USDA data. The state leads the nation in confirmed cases within commercial poultry flocks over the past month, devastating farms and exacerbating egg shortages.
As agriculture remains Ohio’s top industry, the egg-producing state is feeling the pinch. The nationwide outbreak began in 2022, but concerns are growing that this crisis may be entering a new phase with surging cases and a new strain detected in California.
The affected areas, primarily along the western edge of the state in Darke, Mercer, and Van Wert counties, were previously unaffected by significant bird flu cases since December 2023. The recent outbreak has already surpassed the total number of birds affected in all previous outbreaks since 2022.
Experts attribute the surge to migratory birds like Canada geese, which are active during this time of year. If a commercial facility detects bird flu, it is typically “depopulated” and composted on site to prevent further spread among farms.
The Ohio Department of Agriculture is particularly concerned about the recent outbreak in an area with a high population of livestock, including poultry. The Ohio Poultry Association notes that while extensive biosecurity measures are effective, they are not foolproof, highlighting the ongoing challenges in preventing the spread of bird flu.
Source: https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2025/02/06/ohio-bird-flu-cases-egg-prices