Since The Start Of 2024, The U.S. Has Seen A Resurgence Of The Highly Pathogenic Avian Bird Flu

Tuesday, April 23, 2024, 12:00 P.M. ET. By Ryan Metz: Englebrook Independent News,

WASHINGTON, DC.- Egg prices in the U.S. are on the rise again, amid a resurgence of bird flu cases that are continuing to plague the poultry industry across the U.S. According to the St. Louis Fed, the average cost for a dozen eggs has risen to $3.00. Although not as high as the record $4.80 set in January 2023, this is still an increase of $1.00 since eggs reached a low point of $2.00 per dozen in August 2023.

     The spike in prices is not the result of inflation, instead, it’s the result of over 90 million poultry birds being infected with bird flu, the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, H5N1, since February 2022. 

     The CDC reports that backyard flocks as well as commercial have been experiencing repeated outbreaks of bird flu throughout 48 states, with only Hawaii and Louisiana not reporting infections. These infections across the country have led poultry farmers to slaughter their entire flocks in an attempt to stop the spread of the disease.

     In a January article published by the Associated Press, California chicken farmer Mike Webster reported having to slaughter 550,000 egg-laying chickens to prevent the spread of bird flu in Sonoma County. Slaughters like this across the country have resulted in a shortage of eggs and as a result, higher prices in the grocery stores. “It’s a trauma. We’re all going through grief as a result of it,” said Webster. “Petaluma is known as the Eggbasket of the world. It’s devastating to see that egg basket go up in flames.” 

     Over one million birds have been slaughtered throughout Sonoma County alone since the beginning of December 2023.

      The CDC has also reported, and they are following closely recent infections in dairy cows, following cows testing positive for H5N1 in 8 states, and as of April 19, 2024, the transmission to two humans. At this time the CDC has rated the risk to humans as low with only one other transmission to a human in 2022, from infected poultry. Reported symptoms have been mild and the first person infected has made a full recovery.

     As of today, the CDC continues to respond to the public health challenge posed by the outbreak of avian influenza A(H5N1) virus, or “H5N1 bird flu” in dairy cows and other animals in the U.S. The CDC is working with partners including the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.