The United States is currently grappling with a significant outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), which has led to the culling of over 1 million birds in Ohio alone. This outbreak was first detected in a commercial table egg layer flock in Union County, Ohio, on November 21.
As a result, approximately 1.35 million birds were culled, as reported by the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
This incident in Ohio is part of a larger pattern of outbreaks across several states. On the same day, Maryland reported nearly 200,000 birds affected in a commercial broiler production flock in Caroline County.
In Minnesota, HPAI cases were confirmed in commercial turkey flocks in Big Stone County, Brown County, and Kandiyohi County, affecting a total of 92,800 turkeys. South Dakota also experienced outbreaks in commercial turkey flocks, with almost 176,000 birds affected across Clark County, Beadle County, and Kingsbury.
The situation escalated on November 22 with four more cases reported. South Dakota’s outbreak continued with another case in Brule County, leading to the culling of 45,000 birds. Minnesota reported two additional outbreaks in Otter Tail County and Stearns County, with nearly 63,000 birds culled. Wisconsin also faced a significant impact, with 70,000 birds culled in a commercial turkey flock in Trempealeau County.
To date, the total number of birds affected by the HPAI wave in the United States has reached 65.9 million. This ongoing crisis underscores the severe impact of HPAI on the poultry industry and the challenges faced in containing its spread.
