In Ohio, the poultry sector is once again on high alert as the state veterinary leadership reports that producers are stepping up efforts to combat the risk of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The strategy is anchored in three pillars: enhanced biosecurity, tighter access control and coordination with federal agencies such as United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

According to State Veterinarian DennisSummers, "improving biosecurity remains the number-one priority." Producers are monitoring staff movements and controlling traffic entering and exiting their facilities, while also evaluating "mitigation strategies on farms to prevent access by wild aquatic birds." This action reflects the fact that HPAI viruses are often introduced via waterfowl and migratory birds.

From a policy and industry lens, this response intersects with key themes: crop insurance style-risk mitigation (applied here in livestock/avian context), supply chain integrity, input cost pressures and sustainable agriculture practices. As farmers invest in more robust infrastructure-such as controlled access points, disinfection stations and wild-bird exclusion fencing-input cost burdens climb. Meanwhile, the industry is under pressure to maintain production levels, protect co-ops and meet retail demand for poultry and eggs.

Director BrianBaldridge of the OhioDepartmentofAgriculture (ODA) underscores the importance of multi-agency cooperation: "We have worked closely with USDA, we thank the ODA, our state poultry association and our farmers and producers. We are preparing for the worst and hoping for the best." Indeed, earlier in the year Ohio confirmed detection of HPAI in a backyard flock in Auglaize County, triggering quarantine procedures, depopulation of 14 birds and establishment of control and surveillance zones. When such outbreaks occur, the standard response is immediate quarantine of affected installations, depopulation to limit disease spread and the establishment of monitoring zones.

According to ODA documentation, Ohio has reported dozens of premises affected by HPAI and has removed nearly 12million birds since December2024. These figures reveal the magnitude of the threat and provide important context for farm-level decision-making. With the state ranking among the highest in U.S. case counts, the impetus to tighten biosecurity is strong.

The risk to the food supply is statistically low - properly cooked poultry and eggs remain safe for consumption. Nevertheless, for agricultural professionals the operational and economic implications are significant. Among them:

• Implementation of stricter biosecurity protocols (e.g., limiting farm personnel, disinfecting vehicles/equipment, controlling wild-bird access).

• Establishing surveillance zones and quarantine protocols tied to regulatory cooperation with state and federal agencies.

• Addressing cost impacts of enhanced infrastructure and mitigation strategies while maintaining yield and production efficiency in the egg and chicken sectors.

• Considering supply-chain ripple effects, including egg price fluctuations, processing facility capacity and farm co-operative resilience.

• Evaluating long-term policy and preparedness frameworks, including the role of future farm-bill style support for livestock/avian disease risk management, as well as public-private partnerships in sustainable agriculture.

For professionals in the U.S. agriculture sector, especially in the poultry supply chain, the Ohio case offers a cautionary tale and a model of proactive disease-management. With migratory waterfowl continuing to act as vectors and HPAI remaining endemic in wild bird populations, this is not a one-time risk: vigilance, investment and collaboration remain essential.