Avian Flu Spreads Across Nine U.S. States

Recent H5N1 Outbreaks Impact Poultry and Wild Birds

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has reported new outbreaks of the H5N1 avian flu in nine states over the past two days. The disease has notably impacted layer farms in Ohio, one of the hardest-hit states, where significant outbreaks have occurred in recent weeks.

Other states such as Colorado, Pennsylvania, and Indiana have also experienced fresh outbreaks at commercial poultry farms. Notably, Pennsylvania's outbreaks affected both duck and broiler farms, while Indiana reported a significant event at a layer farm in Jay County, impacting nearly one million birds.

Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship reported an outbreak in a turkey flock in Buena Vista County, marking the state's third outbreak of 2025.

Backyard flocks are not spared, with recent virus detections in Delaware, Michigan, Minnesota, Wyoming, and New York. Since its emergence in early 2022, the virus has led to the loss of a record 159 million birds across the U.S. and Puerto Rico.

Wild birds have also been affected, with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources reporting a presumptive positive case in a wild merganser from Milwaukee County. The state has observed increased reports of sick or dead waterfowl along the Lake Michigan shoreline.

Jasmine Batten, a wildlife supervisor, emphasized the importance of public awareness and recommended avoiding handling wild birds to prevent the spread of the virus.

As the situation develops, authorities continue to monitor and respond to these outbreaks, reinforcing the need for vigilance among poultry farmers and the general public.