Avian Flu Hits an Ohio Egg Farm, 1.35 Million Chickens Slaughtered

UNION COUNTY, OH An Ohio egg farm is in the process of slaughtering more than 1.3 million chickens in response to the ongoing avian flu outbreak, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

The decision comes after the confirmation of a case within the flock this week in Ohio’s Union County. Despite a milder impact compared to the previous year, with fewer cases reported among wild birds, the virus has still led to the killing of 8.1 million birds in 2023 to curb its spread. Notably, large egg farms, such as one in Iowa and another in Minnesota, have suffered losses of 1.2 million and 940,000 chickens, respectively, in the current month.

Egg farms, characterized by their substantial scale, often housing millions of birds, have faced significant challenges. Iowa, the leading egg-producing state, has been disproportionately affected, with approximately 17.3 million birds killed. Ohio, another major egg-producing state, has seen a comparatively lower toll of 5.1 million birds lost due to the bird flu.

Recent sizable cases of bird flu have been confirmed in various states, including Minnesota, Maryland, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Georgia, and California. The most significant of these cases occurred on a Maryland chicken farm, where 198,200 birds were killed. In contrast to the staggering toll of 58 million birds in 2022, efforts by farmers to prevent the virus from reaching their flocks include stringent hygiene measures for workers, truck sanitization, and the use of separate tools for each barn. Despite these precautions, the virus remains challenging to contain, particularly along the migratory pathways of wild birds.

Officials emphasize that bird flu poses a minimal health threat to humans, with extremely rare cases reported. Additionally, infected birds are strictly prohibited from entering the nation’s food supply. Cooking poultry and eggs thoroughly to 165 degrees Fahrenheit (73.89 degrees Celsius) is effective in neutralizing any viruses, providing an additional layer of protection.

Source: USDA