Data Report

WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — One of the area’s leading experts in wild birds is warning people and pets to stay away from dead birds, as there appears to be an outbreak of Avian influenza — commonly called the bird flu.

Posted: Feb 16, 202

Dead birds, mostly Canada geese, are showing up around bodies of water in the area. The bird flu is highly contagious, so the handling of dead birds should be done with care.

Heather Merritt is the director of Canfield’s Birds in Flight Sanctuary. It was Merritt who pointed First News to Perkins Park, where we found at least four dead Canada geese.

“We are getting multiple calls on dead birds,” Merritt said. “It’s avian influenza, which is a highly pathogenic, very contagious virus that the birds are carrying, and people need to stay away from them and keep their pets away from them.”

Merritt said the freeze deprived birds of water. Now that it’s thawing, small holes are opening in the ice, to which the birds are congregating, spreading the virus.

Merritt strongly stressed that people and pets should stay away from dead birds. She said what to do if they find them.

“They should double-bag the bird while they have gloves and a mask on and just throw it in their trash,” Merritt said.

Bird flu is not limited to Canada geese. Crows are dying, too. Both birds have a tendency to band together.

LINK:
https://www.wkbn.com/news/local-news/warren-news/experts-warning-locals-to-avoid-dead-birds-amid-avian-flu-outbreak/

Southern Indiana

Bird Flu Found in Southern Indiana for First Time in a Year—Major Turkey Farm Hit in Sullivan County

Indiana Duck, Turkey Farms Detect Avian Flu
Posted Feb 16, 2026

For the first time in nearly a year, the virus known as bird flu has been found on a commercial turkey farm in southwestern Indiana.

According to the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH), a commercial turkey farm in Sullivan County with a flock size of 45,686 was detected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Sullivan County is along the border with Illinois, with Vigo County (Terre Haute) directly to the north and Knox County (Vincennes) directly to the south.

State health officials did not disclose to Hoosier Ag Today the name of the farm, nor the specific location of the facility impacted.

LINK:
https://www.hoosieragtoday.com/2026/02/15/bird-flu-turkey-farm-sullivan-county/

Bird flu suspected as dead geese are found at multiple parks across New Jersey, officials say

    Updated: Feb. 17, 2026, 8:30 p.m.|Published: Feb. 17, 2026 The bird flu, formally named Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (H5N1), is a respiratory disease of birds caused by Influenza A viruses. The virus is carried by wild birds such as ducks, gulls and shorebirds, according to the state Department of Environmental Protection. The virus can kill domestic poultry including chickens, turkeys, ducks and geese. The animals carrying the virus may show no signs of illness.


LINK:
https://www.nj.com/news/2026/02/bird-flu-suspected-as-dead-geese-are-found-at-multiple-parks-across-new-jersey-officials-say.html

 Skunk tests positive for bird flu in Pueblo County, Colorado

by: Brett Yager

Posted: Feb 12, 2026

LINK:
https://www.fox21news.com/news/skunk-tests-positive-for-bird-flu-in-pueblo-county/

Washington outdoor cat dies after contracting avian influenza  Published 2:33 pm Wednesday, January 28, 2026

An outdoor pet cat tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza and later died in Grant County, Wash., after reportedly coming into contact with a dead wild bird.  The Washington State Department of Agriculture announced the case Jan. 27.

LINK:
https://capitalpress.com/2026/01/28/washington-outdoor-cat-dies-after-contracting-avian-influenza/

Michigan’s first 2026 case of bird flu detected in Ottawa County backyard flock

    Updated: Jan. 28, 2026
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI -- Bird flu has been detected in an Ottawa County backyard flock, marking the first bird flu case in Michigan this year.

LINK:
https://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/2026/01/michigans-first-2026-case-of-bird-flu-detected-in-ottawa-county-backyard-flock.html

 Turkey farm in Minnesota hit hard with avian flu
News brief
January 22, 2026

LINK:
https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/avian-influenza-bird-flu/turkey-farm-minnesota-hit-hard-avian-flu

 Backyard flock tests positive for bird flu in Yakima County, Washington State

    Yakima Herald-Republic Jan 21, 2026

A small backyard flock of chickens in Yakima County has tested positive for bird flu, according to the Yakima Health District.

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is caused by Type A influenza viruses found naturally in wild birds. It can spread to other birds and sometimes mammals and may cause serious illness or death in poultry. Migratory birds that pass through Yakima County can carry the virus.

The risk to the public is low, but people with close contact with infected birds or other infected animals may be at higher risk, including backyard flock owners, agricultural workers who are around animals, hunters and people who work with wildlife.

LINK:
https://www.yakimaherald.com/news/local/backyard-flock-tests-positive-for-bird-flu-in-yakima-county/article_ff326858-55a5-4a66-9675-5131593f9c42.html