Ohio Governor Urges Federal Action as Bird Flu Decimates Poultry

Ohio Governor Mike DeWine is advocating for expedited federal research and support in response to the ongoing H5N1 bird flu outbreak, which has resulted in the culling of 15.5 million poultry birds in the state since December. This outbreak has significantly impacted Ohio's egg-laying facilities, with over 30% of layer birds lost, leading to rising egg prices. DeWine plans to meet with Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins to discuss the need for urgency in addressing the crisis and potential vaccine strategies for poultry. Officials highlight that the fatality rate for infected birds is alarmingly high, necessitating immediate action to contain the virus. Despite some signs of slowing detection rates, the outbreak continues to affect the poultry industry severely. State agriculture leaders emphasize the importance of federal assistance and ongoing research to stabilize the situation.