Roughly 70 dead vultures found in Ohio test positive for bird flu

Officials with the Clermont County Public Health Department say that preliminary lab results of the bodies of black vultures indicated the birds died from the H5N1 subtype of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).  

The bodies of the vultures were discovered on Dec. 1, 2025, on a private property about 19 miles from downtown Cincinnati, Ohio.  

In a release from the county’s health department, officials say that samples were forwarded to the national lab for further testing, and they expect the report within the month with confirmation of the diagnosis.  

Throughout 2025, the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) has reported on ways veterinarians can stay safe in their practice, while also helping as front-line responders to the zoonotic disease.  

While people can get bird flu, transmission to humans is rare. In the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there have been 71 cases if bird flu in humans, resulting in two deaths since early 2024. According to the situation tracker on the CDC’s website, the current public health risk is low, with no person-to-person spread.  

In previous reporting, AAHA shared resources on what you can do to enhance safety measures around HPAI in your practice. You can read that resource here. At a high level, practices should be looking at ways to strengthen early detection and surveillance, enhance biosecurity measures, communicate and educate the risks, and coordinate with public health and wildlife experts.  

Photo credit: Clermont County Public Health 

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