Columbus, Ohio (WLIO) – Mercer County farm workers have the first possible case of avian flu in humans in Ohio.
The adult man was contacted with a dead, commercial poultry infected with avian flu. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believes that humans are at a lower risk of contracting avian flu, but individuals dealing with infected birds are at greater risk.
Nationwide, 68 confirmed cases of human avian influenza have been confirmed since the start of 2024, with one reported death in Louisiana. There was no infection from sick people to humans.
Millions of infected chickens and turkeys are being culled in Mercer and Dark Counties, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. Turkeys in Orglaize and Van Wert County are also depopulated due to the avian flu.
Media releases from the Ohio Department of Health
(Columbus, Ohio) – The Ohio Department of Health is reporting the state's first possible human case of influenza A (H5), also known as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) or avian influenza. An adult male Mercer County farm worker who was in contact with the deceased commercial poultry has been infected with the virus.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention believes the public is considering the current risks of avian influenza low. However, people with close, long-term, unprotected contact with infected birds are at greater risk.
Guidance for the general public
The general population of the United States has a low risk of getting avian flu. The best way to prevent avian flu is to avoid direct contact with wild birds, diseased, dead poultry, or other animals.
Contact your local health department or local veterinarian for further guidance before approaching sick or dead poultry or wild birds.
Guidance for people working in poultry
Commercial poultry owners should practice good biosecurity and prevent contact between poultry and wild birds, especially migratory waterfowl.
Avoid treating sick birds and other animals and immediately report signs of illness or unexpected death. 3405.
According to the Ohio Department of Agriculture, some of the best biosecurity practices for commercial poultry owners include:
• Prevents contact with wild birds and waterfowls. Keep the birds indoors if possible. Add wildlife management practices around the farm. hpaifactsheet_wildlife-biosecurity.pdf (usda.gov)
• Keep visitors to a minimum. Allow people who care about poultry to contact them and ensure that they follow biosecurity principles.
• Wash your hands before and after contact with live poultry. Use soap and water. If you are using a hand sanitizer, first remove fertilizer, feathers and other materials from your hands.
• Those in contact with the herd will be provided with a disposable boot cover (priority) and/or a foot bath of disinfectant. If you use a foot bath, use a long handled brush to remove any droppings, mud, or debris from your boots or shoes before stepping in. Keep it clean at all times.
• Establish rodent and pest control programs. Deliver, store and maintain feed, ingredients, bedding and trash to limit exposure and contamination to wildlife.
• Use drinking water supplied from the included supply (well or city system). Do not use surface water for drinking or cleaning.
• Clean and disinfect tools and equipment before moving to a new poultry facility. Trucks, tractors, tools and equipment must be cleaned and disinfected before leaving the property. Do not move or reuse anything that cannot be cleaned.
• Look for signs of illness. Loss of egg production and death, discoloration and/or swelling of the legs, swelling of wattle and comb, respiratory labor, reduced feed/water consumption.
For more information on Best BioSecurity Practices, visit Ohio Department of Health (ODH) and Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) Website.
Background of human avian influenza cases
It is available nationwide 68 Human cases of HPAI have been confirmed In 11 states since the beginning of 2024, including one death in Louisiana. All but three cases involved exposures related to commercial agriculture and related operations or wild birds. In Ohio, one person's dairy products and Many poultry herds It has been infected since the outbreak began in 2022.
There are no known cases of human-to-human transmission.
“While Ohio's risk is low, the best way to prevent avian flu is to avoid unprotected exposure to disease, dead birds and the environment,” said MBA director Bruce Vanderhoff. “If you have to avoid direct contact with poultry or wild birds and be around sick or dead birds, take appropriate precautions, such as reaching out for guidance on personal protection and safe handling. It needs to be.”
Additional Information
It's safe to eat properly cooked chicken or pasteurized dairy products. In general, people should follow food safety practices – poultry, eggs and beef should be cooked to a safe temperature to kill bacteria and viruses. CDC's safer food table Contains a complete list of safe internal temperatures.
If people are exposed to sick or dead birds, they should monitor themselves for new respiratory symptoms and contact their healthcare provider or local health department if they develop symptoms. Ohioans can report diseased or dead wild birds to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) at 1-800 Wildlife to ODA at 614-728-6220.
More information about HPAI can be found on both ODH and ODA Website.
es.
