The recent outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu has impacted the egg market as well, leaving many supermarkets with empty shelves. The virus is a version of highly pathogenic avian influenza and causes a 90 to 100% mortality rate in infected chickens. If bird flu is discovered on a poultry farm, the entire flock must be euthanized immediately. The viral infection was also discovered in dairy cows for the first time in 2024, and the sick cattle have shown symptoms of abnormal coloration and reduced milk supply.
Even though flu mainly affects poultry, it is possible for chickens to pass it on to humans. Due to working in close proximity with contaminated animals, people in the poultry and dairy industries have the highest risk of infection. While the disease has been spreading globally, there is no current evidence of it spreading through human-human interactions.
Most cases of bird flu in humans have only caused mild respiratory symptoms — however, scientists and experts at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have identified severe infections in residents of other countries like Canada. These cases have sparked concern among scientists about spread of the flu, which may result in strained healthcare systems and socioeconomic impacts.
According to the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, there are 67 confirmed cases of humans infected with H5N1 bird flu in the US since early 2024, 38 of which are found in California.
With 8.3 million hens killed from the virus in California alone, the reduced supply of eggs means a higher demand from customers. As a result, egg prices rose by 37% within the past year. New chicks can only lay eggs once they are half a year old, so a complete restoration of the poultry industry is estimated to take six to nine months.
Additionally, infected cows have led to a notable decrease in milk production. The virus has been detected in raw milk samples, but the Pasteurized Milk Ordinance and Grade A Milk Safety Program — implemented by nearly all dairy farms — ensure the health of the American public by inactivating the virus through pasteurizing it.
As an avid chicken owner and a sophomore at Cupertino High School, Kristen Lou is not affected by the egg shortage issue — her flock of six hens provides her with two eggs per day.
“We know what we feed them, and if they are sick, we would know,” Lou said. “We’ve had them for six to seven years at this point, so I feel like we know what we’re doing, so I trust them more than [the eggs from the supermarket].”
Lou’s chickens are completely free range, with full access to her backyard. “If anything were to get them sick, it would be within the backyard […] it’s a controlled area,” Lou said.
However, she also recognizes that some aspects cannot be monitored, such as interactions with wild birds that may be infected with avian influenza.
In response to this outbreak, Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in California on Dec. 18, 2024. The proclamation includes proactive plans to educate farm workers about precautionary measures, reduce raw dairy product contamination, increase regulations and ultimately minimize the spread of the virus. Multiple agencies including the California Department of Public Health, the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Office of Emergency Services are collaborating to raise public awareness of the issue.
Although a seasonal flu shot cannot directly prevent the avian influenza from entering one’s body, it is still a strongly recommended procedure for farm workers to prevent them from contracting two viruses simultaneously. Health organizations suggest that ill birds and animals should be kept a generous distance away from humans, since the virus can also be airborne. Frequent hand washing and mask wearing is always recommended, similar to any other infectious disease.
Contrary to popular fears, eggs from the supermarket are safe to eat, regardless of whether or not the chickens have been infected with the virus. As long as the eggs are cooked to 160°F, a temperature easily achieved through a stovetop, the virus will be killed. However, drinking raw milk poses a multitude of health issues in addition to the risk of bird flu, and researchers suggest pasteurized milk instead.
