The Ohio Department of Health has reported the state's first probable human case of influenza A(H5), also known as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. An adult male Mercer County farm worker who was in contact with deceased commercial poultry was infected with the virus.

The farm worker's condition was not disclosed, though state officials are urging farm workers to take precautions when handling birds. Since mid-January, Ohio has reported 54 H5N1 outbreaks, resulting in the loss of more than 10 million birds, and the state is one of the most affected regions in the U.S.