Ohio reviews first human case of chicken flu: This is what to know

• The primary human case of chicken flu in Ohio was reported in a farm employee from Mercer County.
• There have been 68 human circumstances of chicken flu in 11 states since January 1, 2024, together with one dying in Louisiana.
• The general danger of contracting chicken flu stays low, however these in shut contact with contaminated poultry ought to take precautions.

The primary case of chicken flu in a human in Ohio has been reported, in line with officers.

A farm employee from Mercer County, Ohio, situated on the state’s western border alongside Indiana, got here into contact with deceased poultry that was contaminated with the virus, the Ohio Division of Well being introduced on Wednesday.

The general danger to Ohioans stays low, ODH mentioned, however these in shut contact with sick or lifeless poultry or wild birds ought to take precautions. Individuals ought to keep away from direct contact with wild birds, sick or lifeless poultry, and different animals.

There have been 68 human circumstances of chicken flu in 11 states since Jan. 1, 2024, together with one dying in Louisiana, in line with the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. The CDC has not included the case from Ohio in its information.

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Supply of chicken flu circumstances

Of the 68 circumstances:

• 41 had been uncovered to industrial dairy herds.
• 23 had been uncovered to industrial poultry farms and culling operations.
• One was uncovered to an “different animal supply,” which may embody yard flocks, wild birds, or different mammals.
• Three had been uncovered to an unknown supply.

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The place have folks been contaminated?

The next map reveals confirmed circumstances of chicken flu throughout the nation:

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What’s chicken flu?

Chicken flu, often known as avian influenza, is a virus that may typically unfold from contaminated animals, like birds and cows, to people, in line with the Cleveland Clinic. The virus primarily infects birds

There are a number of subtypes of the chicken flu, however H5 subtypes of influenza A are the most typical.

The 2 commonest forms of avian influenza are the next, in line with Cleaveland Clinic:

• Influenza A(H5N1)
• Influenza A(H7N9)

Which animals are more than likely to be contaminated?

Poultry are more than likely to have avian influenza, in line with the CDC’s information. Round 157.8 million poultry have been affected since 2022 in all 50 states.

Since March 2024, 968 herds of dairy cows in 16 states have been affected by the virus.

Who’s most in danger?

People who find themselves most vulnerable to being contaminated by chicken flu are those that work with poultry, waterfowl, and dairy cows, in line with Cleveland Clinic. Nonetheless, it’s uncommon for the an infection to unfold from individual to individual.

Whereas circumstances of chicken flu in people have been reported, the chance to most of the people stays low, in line with the CDC.

How does it unfold?

An individual could be contaminated with the virus in the event that they contact an object that has been contaminated after which contact their eyes, nostril, or mouth, in line with the CDC. The virus can be unfold by dealing with stay and lifeless animals which might be contaminated.

It can be unfold by consuming, consuming or inhaling something that comprises the stay virus, like uncooked, unpasteurized milk.

What are the signs?

The signs of those that have been contaminated with chicken flu can vary in severity, in line with the CDC, from no signs or delicate sickness to extreme illness leading to dying.

The next are signs of chicken flu, in line with the Cleveland Clinic and CDC:

• Pink eye
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Nausea
• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stuffy or runny nostril
• Shortness of breath or problem respiration
• Complications
• Pneumonia requiring hospitalization

Find out how to keep away from being contaminated

To keep away from turning into sick with avian influenza, the CDC recommends the next:

• Keep away from contact with sick or lifeless animals, particularly wild birds or poultry.
• Individuals who do have contact with lifeless animals ought to put on the really helpful really helpful private protecting tools, PPE, which ought to be supplied by an employer without charge.

Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. You possibly can join along with her on LinkedIn, comply with her on X, previously generally known as Twitter, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or e mail her at jgomez@gannett.com