First human case of bird flu detected in Ohio

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) -- The Ohio Department of Health announced the first human case of bird flu has been detected in the state.

A farm worker in Mercer County tested positive after coming into contact with deceased commercial poultry. While the current risk of bird flu to the general public remains very low, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said those coming into contact with dead or sick poultry should take precautions.

68 confirmed human cases of bird flu have been detected nationally in 11 states since the start of 2024. One person infected in Louisiana died from the virus. Only three of the confirmed cases involved people being exposed outside commercial agriculture, per the ODH.

“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,” said ODH Director Bruce Vanderhoff, MD, MBA.

The bird flu outbreak has caused eggs prices to soar to record highs across the United States. The latest monthly consumer price index showed that the average price of a dozen Grade A eggs in U.S. cities reached $4.95 in January, eclipsing the previous record of $4.82 set two years earlier and more than double the low of $2.04 that was recorded in August 2023.

The Associated Press contributed to this report