The bird flu outbreak in the U.S. has led to the deaths of more than 166 million wild and domestic birds since 2022, causing sky-high egg prices. While the health risk to most people is low, the outbreak has surprised researchers. It is safe to buy and eat poultry products, as the virus is eliminated through cooking. The FDA recommends cooking eggs until both the yolk and white harden. Milk is safe for consumption due to pasteurization. Avian influenza spreads rapidly among birds through airborne particles, droppings, and saliva. Mass-culling of birds is required to control the outbreak, with enhanced biosecurity measures in place on farms to prevent further spread.
Egg farms have been significantly impacted by the outbreak, with layers bred for eggs being the most affected. The U.S. government provides compensation to farmers affected by the outbreak. President Trump has announced plans to support farmers. Vaccines for birds are in development, while chickens can be vaccinated against bird flu. The effectiveness of vaccination strategies is still being studied. It may take several months for egg prices to fall, depending on how quickly the outbreak is controlled. Dog owners should be cautious, while cats may be susceptible to bird flu.
Overall, the risk of contracting the virus from the environment is low, but best practices such as washing hands and avoiding contact with dead birds should be followed. Concerns remain about the potential for bird flu to mutate and spread to humans, although there have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission. Scientists are continuing research on vaccines and therapeutics for both animals and humans.
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