Flock Status · Ohio

Bird flu rules for backyard flocks in Ohio

Standing rules only · October 15, 2026

We found no bird-flu order covering Ohio or any of its areas today. Its standing rules for bringing birds in and showing them still apply.

Read from 7 official sources20 passages quotedChecked on October 14, 2026

At a glance

Today

Standing rules only

Bird-flu orders in force

None found

APHIS detections, 30 days

None listed

Report sick birds

614-728-6220

Not veterinary advice: follow your state veterinarian. This is a sourced reading of official notices, dated when we read them. Orders can change overnight, so confirm with Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health before you move, show or sell birds.

Current situation

What the agency's own pages and tables showed when we checked, with the line each comes from.

  • No open HPAI Control Area in Ohio today: ODA's 30-day table reads N/A, and all 98 rows of ODA's detection table read Closed (81) or n/a (17). The latest Ohio detection is Portage 03, a backyard non-poultry flock confirmed March 17, 2026, which had no control area ('n/a'). APHIS's export agrees: its latest Ohio row is Portage 03 (March 17, 2026), with the control-area column 'NA'.

    • “HPAI detections in Ohio within the last 30 days. County & Flock # *Date Confirmed Positive # of Poultry Type of Operation Status Type Control Area Surveillance Zone N/A”

      Ohio Department of Agriculture · agri.ohio.gov · Tracking HPAI Across Ohio, 30-day table

    • "Portage 03","3/17/2026","9","Backyard (Non-Poultry)","Depopulated","H5N1 HPAI","n/a","n/a"

      Ohio Department of Agriculture · agri.ohio.gov · detections table, row 1 (most recent)

    • Mar 17, 2026Portage CountyBackyard (Non-Poultry)20 birdsno control area listed

      USDA APHIS · publicdashboards.dl.usda.gov · APHIS export, latest Ohio row

In force today

Worked out from each notice's dates for October 15, 2026. Bird-flu orders come first, then the standing rules.

Standing ruleControl zones and quarantine

Standing response: ODA sets a Control Area of at least 10 km around any HPAI-infected premises

Poultry movements from premises in it need negative tests and an approved permit.

No end date in the source

Inside a control zone · Control Area (at least 10 km) around any HPAI-infected premises, plus a 10 km Surveillance Zone beyond it · Birds: poultry

  • Infected premises are quarantined
  • Control Area extends at least 10 km beyond the closest infected premises; quarantine and movement controls apply at commercial premises, and all movements of poultry and poultry products from premises in the Control Area need negative testing and an approved permit
  • Backyard flock owners in a Control Area: ODA says they should monitor for clinical signs and may be contacted by officials
  • Surveillance Zone extends 10 km beyond the Control Area; no quarantine or movement controls there
  • Release can come as early as 14 days after depopulation and initial virus elimination, with negative surveillance
  • Whether any Control Area is open today: see Current situation

Guidance: Poultry (HPAI) — Response Process and Zones · Ohio Department of Agriculture, December 1, 2023

What the guidance says (3 passages)
  • “Once a premises tests positive for HPAI, a Control Area (including the Infected Zone immediately surrounding an infected premises and the surrounding Buffer Zone) will be designated extending at least 10 km beyond the perimeter of the closest Infected Premises.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture · agri.ohio.gov · Response Process and Zones > Control Area, para 1

  • “Once a Control Area is established, quarantine and movement controls will be implemented at all commercial premises and all movements of poultry and poultry products from premises in the Control Area will require negative testing and an approved permit.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture · agri.ohio.gov · Control Area, para 2

  • “Backyard flock owners within the control area should monitor their flocks for clinical signs. Animal health officials may contact backyard flock owners to gather information about their flocks.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture · agri.ohio.gov · Control Area, para 3

Standing ruleShows and fairs

Exhibition birds need NPIP status or a pullorum-typhoid test

In effect from May 23, 2024 · No end date in the source

Statewide · exhibitions · Birds: turkeys, chickens, and gamebirds

  • NPIP flock or hatchery with documents (NPIP status valid one year); or flock negative within 12 months before the show opens; or bird negative within 90 days; or tested negative on arrival by an ODA-approved tester
  • Any co-mingling voids NPIP status from the original flock or hatchery
  • Rapid whole blood test not allowed for turkeys under options (A)(2)-(4)
  • Waterfowl, doves and pigeons exempt

Rule: Ohio Adm.Code 901:1-18-05, Poultry and fowl · Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov), May 23, 2024

What the rule says (3 passages)
  • “Have had a negative test for pullorum/fowl typhoid disease, within ninety days, preceding the opening date of the exhibition and be accompanied by documentary evidence that they meet the requirement of this paragraph; or”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · (A)(3)

  • “Any co-mingling of birds voids national poultry improvement plan status from the original flock or hatchery.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · (B)

  • “Waterfowl, doves, and pigeons are exempt from this rule.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · (D)

Bringing birds or hatching eggs into Ohio

Imported poultry must not come from a herd, flock or area under quarantine and must not have been recently exposed to contagious disease (901:1-17-01(C)); the Chief may restrict entry. Interstate CVI, or NPIP VS 9-3 from an NPIP flock, or direct to slaughter; plus NPIP status, a flock pullorum-typhoid test within 12 months, a bird test within 30 days, or a negative test on arrival for sale, swap or show. Waterfowl, doves and pigeons exempt from PT testing. Birds not meeting the rules need an ODA entry permit (901:1-17-01(G)). Rules effective September 11, 2026. New World screwworm: ODA's July 2026 Animal Health News describes passive surveillance only (unless NWS is detected in Ohio); no Ohio NWS import order was found; ODA's screwworm page (read October 14, 2026) gives no import requirement.

What the entry rules say
  • “The imported animals shall not have been recently exposed to any contagious or infectious diseases and shall not originate from a herd, flock, or area under quarantine.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-01(C)

  • “Poultry, commercial gamebirds, ratites, and hatching eggs imported into Ohio shall meet one of the following movement requirements:”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-11(A)

  • “Unless NWS is detected in the state, Ohio will participate in passive surveillance for NWS.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture · content.govdelivery.com · Ohio Animal Health News, July 2026, 'New World Screwworm'

  • “There are currently no detected cases of New World screwworm (NWS) in Ohio.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture · agri.ohio.gov · ODA New World Screwworm page

Standing ruleBringing birds in

Poultry entering Ohio must not come from a quarantined flock or area, and need an interstate CVI or an NPIP VS 9-3 (or go straight to slaughter), plus NPIP status or a pullorum-typhoid test

In effect from September 11, 2026 · No end date in the source

Statewide · importation into Ohio · Birds: poultry, commercial gamebirds, ratites, and hatching eggs

  • Imported animals must be healthy, not recently exposed to contagious or infectious disease, and must not come from a herd, flock or area under quarantine; the Chief may prohibit or restrict entry of animals that may be exposed to or infected with a dangerously contagious disease (901:1-17-01(C))
  • Movement: interstate certificate of veterinary inspection; or NPIP VS 9-3 from an NPIP flock; or directly to slaughter
  • Testing: NPIP flock or hatchery with documents; or flock negative for pullorum-fowl typhoid within 12 months; or bird negative within 30 days before entry; or tested negative on arrival at the Ohio destination for sale, swap or show
  • Rapid whole blood test not allowed for turkeys under the 12-month or 30-day options
  • Waterfowl, doves and pigeons exempt from the testing requirements
  • Animals that do not meet the chapter's rules may enter only under an entry permit from the Division of Animal Health (animal@agri.ohio.gov, 614-728-6220); permitted animals are subject to quarantine and inspection on arrival (901:1-17-01(G))

Rule: Ohio Adm.Code 901:1-17-01 (General requirements) and 901:1-17-11 (Poultry) · Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov), September 11, 2026

What the rule says (6 passages)
  • “The imported animals shall not have been recently exposed to any contagious or infectious diseases and shall not originate from a herd, flock, or area under quarantine.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-01(C)

  • “Poultry, commercial gamebirds, ratites, and hatching eggs imported into Ohio shall meet one of the following movement requirements:”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-11(A)

  • “Move from a national poultry improvement plan flock with a USDA national poultry improvement plan, VS 9-3 form; or”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-11(A)(2)

  • “Have a negative test for pullorum-fowl typhoid disease, within thirty days prior to entry and be accompanied by flock test records that show they meet the requirements of this paragraph; or”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-11(B)(3)

  • “Waterfowl, doves, and pigeons are exempt from the requirements of paragraph (B) of this rule.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-11(D)

  • “Individuals wishing to import animals that do not meet the rules of this chapter may apply to the division of animal health for an entry permit.”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov) · codes.ohio.gov · Rule 901:1-17-01(G)

Federal rules apply on top for any move across a state line: official ID and a health certificate or NPIP paperwork.

Sick or dead birds? Who to call

Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health

614-728-6220 (after hours 888-456-3405)

The agency's bird flu page

  • “Backyard/hobby flocks, call Ohio Department of Agriculture (ODA) 614-728-6220 or afterhours at 888-456-3405”

    Ohio Department of Agriculture · agri.ohio.gov · Reporting Sick Birds

Recent detections in Ohio

USDA APHIS lists no confirmed bird-flu detections in Ohio flocks in the 30 days to October 14, 2026. Latest detection in the APHIS data: October 9, 2026. The national picture

Common questions

Is there a bird flu order in Ohio right now?
We found no bird-flu order covering Ohio or any of its areas today. Its standing rules for bringing birds in and showing them still apply.
Can I take my chickens to a poultry show or swap in Ohio?
We found no bird-flu ban on shows or sales in force on October 15, 2026. Standing rules apply: Exhibition birds need NPIP status or a pullorum-typhoid test.
What do I need to bring chickens or hatching eggs into Ohio?
Imported poultry must not come from a herd, flock or area under quarantine and must not have been recently exposed to contagious disease (901:1-17-01(C)); the Chief may restrict entry. Interstate CVI, or NPIP VS 9-3 from an NPIP flock, or direct to slaughter; plus NPIP status, a flock pullorum-typhoid test within 12 months, a bird test within 30 days, or a negative test on arrival for sale, swap or show. Waterfowl, doves and pigeons exempt from PT testing. Birds not meeting the rules need an ODA entry permit (901:1-17-01(G)). Rules effective September 11, 2026. New World screwworm: ODA's July 2026 Animal Health News describes passive surveillance only (unless NWS is detected in Ohio); no Ohio NWS import order was found; ODA's screwworm page (read October 14, 2026) gives no import requirement.
Who do I call about sick or dead birds in Ohio?
Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health at 614-728-6220 (after hours 888-456-3405). Report sick or dying birds there or to USDA at 1-866-536-7593. This page is not veterinary advice; follow your state veterinarian.
How current is this page?
We read Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health's notices on October 14, 2026. Whether each order is in force is worked out from its dates every time the page is rebuilt, at least once an hour, so an order never shows as in force after it ends.
Sources
  1. Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health: bird flu page. Ohio Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health.
  2. Ohio Adm.Code 901:1-17-01 (General requirements) and 901:1-17-11 (Poultry). Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov). September 11, 2026.
  3. Ohio Adm.Code 901:1-18-05, Poultry and fowl. Ohio Department of Agriculture (published at codes.ohio.gov). May 23, 2024.
  4. Ohio Animal Health News, July 2026, 'New World Screwworm. Ohio Department of Agriculture.
  5. ODA New World Screwworm page. Ohio Department of Agriculture.
  6. detections table. Ohio Department of Agriculture.
  7. APHIS export, latest Ohio row. USDA APHIS.

We read each document ourselves and last checked this page against them on October 14, 2026. Where they disagree, we show you the disagreement instead of picking a winner quietly.

What we couldn't confirm
  • No current Ohio HPAI order found on agri.ohio.gov (October 14, 2026). ODA's livestock-exhibitions page (new address, read in the built-in browser) and its 2026 fairs and exhibitions fact sheet (plain request) state no 2026 poultry or HPAI show condition beyond the standing rules. Not 'allowed' by default.
  • The 2025 ODA proclamation (13 western counties, March 17, 2025 to May 15, 2025, per news) is not recorded as a measure: the official text was not found. It would be history with status 'expired' once sourced.
  • Bird count for Portage 03: ODA says 9 birds, APHIS says 20. Show both, or neither, if a count is ever displayed.
  • The detection-table quote in Current situation is a CSV row from the page's embedded table data; a reviewer may prefer to check the visible table in a browser.
  • ODA's address-lookup map for Control Areas and Surveillance Zones (ArcGIS, linked from the Poultry page) was not opened.
  • Vendor host: content.govdelivery.com/accounts/OHDOA is ODA's own bulletin account (the bulletin names ODA as sender); used only in searchLog.
  • Builder note: the Portage 03 status-note quote is a row from the page's embedded table data; render it as a table row, not as running text.
  • oh-aphis-detections.txt is a state-filtered copy (State column = Ohio) of lane A's capture of the APHIS export (rows unchanged, SOURCE line kept).
  • New World screwworm: ODA's own screwworm page and newsroom (read October 14, 2026) show no Ohio NWS import order.

Next door

Every state, one mapSee where Ohio sits, and what's in force in every other state today.Open the map →
PoultryPal app icon

Keep your flock's records in PoultryPal

Egg records and charts, hatching records and a flock journal (handy for noting health checks and test dates), free on iPhone and Android.

App StoreGoogle Play