Deadly Bird Flu Outbreak Hits US — How It’s Impacting Pets And People

A severe bird flu outbreak has devastated U.S. poultry farms, resulting in the deaths of over 20 million egg-laying chickens in the past quarter alone. This marks the worst toll on America’s egg supply since the outbreak began in 2022, significantly driving up egg prices nationwide.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), these losses include both chickens killed by the virus and those culled to prevent its spread. Egg prices have skyrocketed across all production systems, including conventional, cage-free, and organic, as revealed in a USDA report published on January 10.

To mitigate the crisis, the federal government has allocated $1.25 billion to compensate farmers for their losses. This funding aims to encourage prompt reporting of infections and to curb the virus’s spread.

Why Are Bird Flu Cases Rising?

Bird flu cases typically surge in winter as migratory wild birds carry the virus southward. Cooler temperatures facilitate the virus’s spread, leading to outbreaks beyond poultry farms and into dairy herds. Hundreds of infected herds have been traced to contaminated raw milk, which spreads through farmers’ clothing, equipment, and shared animals.

California has been hit particularly hard, prompting the state to declare a state of emergency.

Human and Pet Infections

While the outbreak has caused catastrophic losses among poultry, human cases remain rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported only 66 human infections in the U.S. since the virus first emerged. Most cases have been mild and occurred in farm workers who had close contact with infected animals.

However, a recent fatal case in Louisiana, linked to the D1.1 strain of the virus, has raised concerns. Despite this, researchers believe the strain responsible for human infections has mutated to be less severe compared to other circulating strains.

The virus has also impacted pets. In separate incidents in California and Oregon, cats died after consuming raw pet food made from infected animals. A Food and Drug Administration (FDA) spokesperson confirmed that infected cats had eaten wild birds, unpasteurized milk, raw poultry, or raw poultry pet food.

Symptoms to Watch For

Bird flu symptoms in humans vary but can include:

- Fever and Chills

- Cough and Sore Throat

- Fatigue

- Muscle Aches

- Shortness of Breath

- Eye Redness (Conjunctivitis)

- Severe Cases: If the case is too severe, then it may lead to Pneumonia and Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS).

The USDA has announced plans to stockpile a poultry vaccine targeting the D1.1 strain. However, widespread vaccination remains unlikely due to concerns that it may mask symptoms, complicating efforts to identify and contain outbreaks. Additionally, widespread vaccination could disrupt international poultry exports.

The bird flu outbreak continues to strain US poultry farms, disrupt supply chains, and drive up egg prices. While human infections remain limited, ongoing monitoring, preventive measures, and research are essential to address the crisis and minimize its impact on public health and the agricultural industry.

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