The US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) reported that the H5N1 avian flu virus hit more flocks in four states, including Ohio, the nation’s second-largest poultry producer. The virus has affected two commercial farms in Indiana and struck another layer farm in Mercer County, Ohio, with nearly 85,000 birds.
In total, over 30 days, the ongoing H5N1 outbreaks have led to the loss of nearly 19 million birds. Backyard bird outbreaks have also been reported in Florida’s Broward County and New York’s Delaware County.
Additionally, APHIS confirmed a new detection of H5N1 in a dairy herd from Nevada, bringing the total to eight affected herds across the state. The virus has now been detected in 973 herds across 17 states since its emergence in dairy cattle about a year ago.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirmed two recent human cases of H5N1 avian flu. Both patients were hospitalized with respiratory and nonrespiratory symptoms, and one patient from Ohio is recovering at home after treatment, while the other patient from Wyoming remains hospitalized. The CDC has reported 70 confirmed cases, including one fatality, since early 2024.
Source: https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/h5n1-strikes-more-poultry-4-states-cdc-updates-details-recent-human-cases