Bird flu is surging again in the U.S., causing egg prices to skyrocket. With nearly 13 million birds infected or culled in the past month, egg shortages are driving cartons of eggs to cost over $4 on average—up from around $2.50 a year ago. What’s being done about this crisis?
Egg prices aren’t the only concern as the virus continues to spread. Recently, a human has died from bird flu in Louisiana, marking the first reported case in the U.S. This strain of H5N1 bird flu, which has been circulating since February 2022, infects poultry and humans through droplets. While efforts are underway to curb its spread, experts warn it could still jump from birds to another animal or even humans, potentially leading to a more severe pandemic if it evolves into something deadlier.
The government is taking steps to address the crisis, including culling infected poultry and enforcing stricter regulations on farms. Farmers are also working to reduce egg production as birds recover from the virus. Meanwhile, efforts to track the human casualties and understand how the virus might spread further are critical to preventing a potential public health catastrophe.
Source: https://www.vox.com/future-perfect/394511/bird-flu-eggs-human-death-prices-government-response