State officials have confirmed avian influenza in poultry among four Ohio counties, though none in Mahoning, Trumbull, Columbiana or surrounding counties.

However, the Ohio Department of Natural Resources and Ohio Department of Agriculture still want residents to be aware of potential risk to humans, birds and animals as well as the signs of potential infection in birds.

“The ODNR Division of Wildlife is monitoring all reports of dead wild birds in the state and has sent several samples collected in Ohio for testing to confirm highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI),” reads a statement from that office. “The Division of Wildlife has previously shared that HPAI is suspected in a number of counties in Ohio and has provided information about best practices if people come into contact with a dead wild bird.”

The office said residents should call 1-800-WILDLIFE (1-800-945-3543) to report dead birds in groups of more than six.

The ODA, which conducts initial testing for ODNR, states that cases were confirmed in Auglaize, Darke, Mercer and Van Wert counties, all in western Ohio.

ODNR reports that the National Veterinary Services Laboratory has reported one confirmed case of HPAI in a Canada goose from Mercer County. Once ODA has concluded a likely case, its representative sends the sample on to NVSL for verification.

ODNR states that HPAI is a naturally occurring virus in bird populations, and the U.S. Geological Survey’s National Wildlife Health Center monitors the disease closely.

At the end of December, ODNR reported it was analyzing samples from Auglaize, Erie, Huron, Logan, Lucas, Mercer, Montgomery, Richland, Sandusky, Stark and Warren counties, after Canada geese, trumpeter swans and one mallard were reported dead.

“Native Ohio birds such as shorebirds, raptors and waterfowl are vulnerable to HPAI. Domestic chickens and turkeys are also vulnerable to HPAI,” the website states. “The virus is transmitted from bird to bird through feeding and interactions.”

More information about HPAI is available at aphis.usda.gov.

ODNR states that the virus poses a low risk to the public but recommends residents avoid handling sick or dead birds. The department recommends reporting raptors, such as a bald eagle; waterfowl, such as geese or ducks; and any other large group of sick or dead birds.

“If you absolutely must handle a dead bird to dispose of it, it’s best to double bag and throw it out with household trash,” the website states. Ohioans can report sick or dead wild birds suspected at 800-WILDLIFE (945-3543) or wildohio.gov.

ODA Director Brian Baldridge said the department is working with poultry farmers and producers while emphasizing biosecurity.

“We’re educating them on making sure poultry does not come into contact with wild birds like geese or ducks,” he said. “We also advise them to make sure their barns are secure, that there are no holes where wild birds could enter, and of course cleaning their boots before entering, because the virus can be carried in that way.”

All positive cases in Ohio can be viewed at https://agri.ohio.gov/divisions/animal-health/hpai, along with biosecurity best practice resources. The department updates the page with any positive detection in Ohio poultry under the ‘Tracking HPAI Across Ohio’ section.

“When there is a detection, ODA quarantines the facility, and birds are depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. A control area and surveillance zone is set up to monitor other facilities nearby,” Baldridge said.

He said the department follows USDA protocols and procedures for disposal at infected farms.

RISKS TO PEOPLE AND PETS

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that the risk to the public is low. The USDA states that HPAI cannot be transmitted through properly cooked meats or eggs and products from any HPAI-affected flocks are prohibited from entering the food system. All poultry and eggs should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F.

Baldridge said the risk of household pets contracting HPAI is extremely low.

“In Ohio, the only known HPAI detection in other animal species has been with barn cats that lived directly on an infected dairy herd premise,” he said.

The USDA provides precautions for pet (especially cat) owners to take at www.fda.gov/animal-veterinary/cvm-updates/fda-outlines-ways-reduce-risk-hpai-cats.

For now, ODNR’s guidance states that bird feeders are not really a concern, though precautions can and should be taken.

“Bird feeders are unlikely to result in increased spread of HPAI since the species of birds that tend to come to feeders are not commonly infected,” the website states.

The department recommends common-sense precautions after handling feeders, including washing hands with soap and water, routinely disinfecting feeders, and avoiding contact with bird excrement.

On Thursday, the Associated Press reported that a new strain of the virus was found in dairy cattle in Nevada.

The detection indicates that distinct forms of the virus known as Type A H5N1 have spilled over from wild birds into cattle at least twice. Experts said it raises new questions about wider spread and the difficulty of controlling infections in animals and the people who work closely with them.

“I always thought one bird-to-cow transmission was a very rare event. Seems that may not be the case,” said Richard Webby, an influenza expert at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

A version of the H5N1 bird flu virus known as B3.13 was confirmed in March after being introduced to cattle in late 2023, scientists said. It has infected more than 950 herds in 16 states. The new version, known as D1.1, was confirmed in Nevada cattle Friday, according to USDA. It was detected in milk collected as part of a surveillance program launched in December.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.