(1-26-25) According to the USDA, avian influenza (HPAI) was detected in 1,432,000 chickens in Mercer County, Ohio just weeks after the Ohio Department of Agriculture confirmed the infection of 931,302 birds in Darke County on December 27.

Ohio Department of Agriculture Director Brian Baldridge says the virus is likely being transmitted from birds migrating over western Ohio and Indiana to poultry in those states.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI): Highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses cause severe disease and high mortality in infected poultry. Only some avian influenza A(H5) and A(H7) viruses are classified as HPAI A viruses, while most A(H5) and A(H7) viruses circulating among birds are LPAI A viruses. HPAI A(H5) or A(H7) virus infections can cause disease that affects multiple internal organs with mortality up to 90% to 100% in chickens, often within 48 hours. However, ducks can be infected without any signs of illness. HPAI A(H5) and A(H7) virus infections in poultry also can spill back into wild birds, resulting in further geographic spread of the virus as those birds migrate. While some wild bird species can be infected with some HPAI A(H5) or A(H7) virus subtypes without appearing sick, other HPAI A(H5) and A(H7) virus subtypes can cause severe disease and mortality in some infected wild birds as well as in infected poultry.

More than 3 million commercial chickens and turkeys in the Ohio are currently impacted by the virus, according to the USDA. 

Farmers are controlling the spread by killing infected birds.

Eggs and chicken are still safe to eat when cooked fully. The risk of a person contracting bird flu is low.