Bird Flu Triggers Mass Euthanization of Chickens
COLUMBIA, S.C. – Th Egg Prices Surge has skyrocketed in recent months, leaving consumers frustrated and concerned. The sharp increase is linked to an ongoing outbreak of avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, which has led to mass euthanization of chickens in large egg farms.
According to livestock and poultry researchers at Clemson University, large poultry farms typically house anywhere between 100,000 to 4 million chickens. When even a single case of bird flu is detected, all birds in the facility must be culled to prevent further spread. This drastic measure has resulted in a significant loss of egg production, directly impacting prices at grocery stores and restaurants.
Columbia resident Biyanka Moore expressed her shock at the rising prices. “It doesn’t make any sense; it just went up like a skyrocket,” she said. Moore noted that a carton of Eggland’s Best eggs, which usually costs around $6.99 to $7.99, was now priced at $14.89. Similarly, Kenny Raines, a frequent diner at a Columbia restaurant, was surprised to see an additional surcharge on his usual ham and cheese omelet. “Now everything’s going up. I don’t know what it’s going to come down to,” he said.
The Largest Animal Disease Outbreak in U.S. History
Clemson poultry health expert Julie Helm confirmed that the bird flu outbreak is the main driver of the soaring egg prices. The virus, primarily spread by wild ducks and geese, has led to the largest animal disease outbreak in U.S. history. Since January, an estimated 23 million chickens have been infected, prompting widespread culling to contain the virus.
“When one complex gets infected, all the birds at that complex need to be depopulated to stop the spread of the virus to other farms,” Helm explained. This aggressive approach aims to prevent further outbreaks but has resulted in a significant reduction in egg supply.
As a potential solution, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is considering vaccinating chickens in large egg production facilities. However, Helm cautioned that this measure may not be as effective as hoped. “Vaccination is not 100% protection, as we all know from our flu vaccines. It also costs a lot and requires handling every bird individually,” she said. Helm also pointed out the challenge of deciding which chickens should be vaccinated, emphasizing that backyard flocks are unlikely to receive immunization.
Egg Prices Surge And Supply Recovery Could Take Over a Year
While concerns over egg prices continue, experts assure consumers that eggs sold in stores are safe to eat and do not come from infected chickens. However, Helm advised owners of backyard flocks to closely monitor their birds, as they have a higher risk of coming into contact with wild birds carrying the disease.
Despite efforts to control the outbreak, Helm predicted that it could take at least a year before egg farms recover from the losses. Rebuilding chicken populations and restoring egg supply levels will be a slow process, meaning high prices may persist for the foreseeable future.
As consumers grapple with these soaring costs, the poultry industry faces tough decisions on how best to prevent future outbreaks while ensuring a stable egg supply and Egg Prices Surge .
