A large egg farm in northwest Ohio has been forced to euthanize 3 million chickens after the highly contagious bird flu was detected in its flock.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported the case, which was confirmed over the weekend in Ohio's Defiance County.
As a result, the USDA said birds on the property will be "depopulated" to prevent the spread of the disease. The state's veterinarian confirmed to the Associated Press that the farm has begun euthanizing all of its flock -- nearly 3 million birds.
The outbreak, which caused a rise in egg and meat prices earlier this year, seemed to be subsiding in June, but officials recently issued a warning that another surge could return this fall. Unfortunately, the highly pathogenic disease has returned to the Midwest earlier than authorities expected after a lull of several months with cases in Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota and Wisconsin within the past week, the AP reported.
Avian influenza spreads quickly and can be fatal to flocks and devastating to poultry owners. The virus infects poultry and is carried by free flying waterfowl such as ducks, geese and shorebirds. Birds shed the virus through their droppings and nasal discharge. Experts say it can be spread through contaminated equipment, clothing and boots.
Although it is possible for humans to become infected with avian influenza, the CDC states that the virus does not spread easily from animals to humans.
The virus has killed 43 million chickens and turkeys this year across the United States, according to the AP.
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