Ohio reports first human case of bird flu

CLEVELAND — The Ohio Department of Health says a man in Mercer County has been infected with bird flu, the state’s first confirmed human case of the virus in what has become a multiyear outbreak.

Officials say the man was working as a farmer and came “in contact with deceased commercial poultry” that had been infected with influenza A virus subtype H5N1, also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. His condition is not known at this time.

As of last week, Ohio was leading the nation in bird flu cases among avian species, with 50 flocks impacted over the previous 30 days. Across the United States, there have been 68 confirmed cases of HPAI in humans since 2024, with one person dying in Louisiana.

Experts stress that bird flu is almost never transmitted from person to person, and that the risk to the general public is low. Those with “close and prolonged, unprotected contact with infected birds” face the greatest threat.

“While the risk to Ohioans is low, the best way to prevent bird flu is to avoid unprotected exposures to sick or dead birds or to their environment,” ODH Director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said in a statement. “People should avoid direct contact with poultry or wild birds and take proper precautions, including reaching out for guidance regarding personal protection and safe handling, if you must be around sick or dead birds.”

For those who do work around such birds or other animals, the department gave the following safety tips:

• Use personal protective equipment like gloves, N95 respirator (if available) or a well-fitting facemask, and eye protection.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after touching birds or sick animals.
• Avoid touching your mouth, nose, or eyes after contact with birds or animals or after handling materials that may have been in contact with them.
• Change your clothing before contact with healthy birds and animals and again after you’ve dealt with sick ones.

Mercer County is located in Western Ohio, on the border with Indiana.