Ohio leads the nation in recent bird flu cases among commercial poultry operations, with more than 4.1 million chickens and turkeys affected so far this year.

Recent history makes clear that microbiological disasters can strike anytime. But a longer history should remind us of the great strides we’ve made in protecting ourselves from our viral enemies, writes guest columnist Jason M.

At the same time, high prices of poultry profucts and eggs in grocery stores - exacerbated by the impact of bird flu on flocks - are driving more shoppers to consider purchasing from local producers.

After a lull in dead bird reports, the Ohio Division of Wildlife recently received a report that there were at least 15 ‘dead and dying geese’ in Bowling Green.

The latest data from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service of the USDA's Avian Influenza Tracker shows a significant impact in Ohio over the past 30 days.

Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is suspected to be spreading among wild birds in Stark County, according to ODNR.

Ohio Department of Health director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff has cautioned Ohioans to continue to take these illnesses seriously.

According to the United Nations, it has killed more than 300 million birds worldwide and one person in the U.S. Health officials still said the risk for the public is low right now but a professor at Ohio State’s College of Veterinary Medicine said the medical community has been scrambling to slow down the spread.

Osterholm says that the primary kind of birds impacted by the flu is migratory waterfowl, like geese and ducks, and these birds often hang out in farm fields where they defecate. Then, the wind picks up particles of the infected feces, spreading the virus far and wide.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources said it has confirmed 98 cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza since 2022 in waterfowl across the state.

Avian influenza that has affected some 222,000 birds in Oklahoma and 130 million nationwide will continue to put pressure on prices in grocery stores in Tulsa and other communities. The flu ...