Is the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus H5N1 in Ohio?
No, the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) has not been detected in humans, poultry, or wild birds in Ohio or elsewhere in North America. What is avian influenza or “bird flu?” Highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) is associated with birds. “Bird flu” is a nonscientific term which has also been used to refer to the HPAI H5N1 outbreak originating in Asia. Prior to 2002, when HPAI H5N1 was linked to wild bird deaths in Asia, only one other case of avian influenza was known involving the death of wild birds. This virus was isolated from common terns inSouth Africa in 1961. However, low pathogenic avian influenza viruses (infections that do not cause illness) are common in wild birds around the world. While wild birds can be infected with low pathogenic avian influenza worldwide, only HPAI H5N1, which has caused human mortality, is of concern.
