The bird flu outbreak, which started in 2022, has caused the deaths of more than 166 million wild and domestic birds in the U.S. While the health risks to most people are low, the outbreak continues to surprise researchers. The U.S. government has struggled to control it.
Andrew Bowman, an influenza expert at Ohio State University, called the situation “unprecedented.” He said, “It feels different than anything before.”
With the rise in egg prices, there are renewed concerns about bird flu. NBC News asked its readers on social media about the outbreak, how to mitigate risks, and concerns over eggs. Here are the answers to some of your top questions.
Is it safe to eat chicken, eggs, and milk?
Yes, it’s safe to buy and consume poultry products. These are closely regulated and frequently tested. Cooking the products eliminates the virus.
Bowman emphasized that the virus is easily destroyed by heat, making store-bought poultry safe. The FDA recommends cooking eggs until both the yolk and the white are hard.
Eggs from backyard flocks in contact with wild birds may be riskier. But typically, avian flu reduces egg production, and most affected birds die.
Pasteurized milk is also safe to consume since the virus is inactivated during pasteurization. Raw milk, however, is risky because the virus can survive in cows’ mammary glands.
How does bird flu spread on farms?
Avian influenza, or H5N1, is highly contagious among birds. Infected birds spread the virus quickly through airborne particles, feces, saliva, and nasal droplets. Some studies suggest that the virus may even travel from farm to farm via wind.
Infected cows can also spread the virus through their milk, and farm cats have been known to contract it from drinking raw milk.
Is killing infected birds the only way to stop bird flu?
Once bird flu is identified on a farm, all infected birds are culled. This is the federal policy to prevent further spread. Although some birds may survive, they could continue to spread the virus.
Bowman explained that allowing infected birds to survive would only lead to further contamination. “You have to view each one as replicating and making more virus,” he said.
To prevent further outbreaks, the U.S. has implemented enhanced biosecurity measures. Workers are required to shower and disinfect before entering and leaving farms, and wildlife is kept out.
How have egg-laying hens been affected?
Egg farms have been hit hardest. In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that 23 million birds were culled, with around 18.8 million of them being egg-laying hens. Egg production has been more vulnerable to the virus compared to meat chicken farms.
Since January 2020, the price of a carton of eggs has more than tripled, from $1.46 to $4.95. Meanwhile, the price of chicken breast has risen by about $1.
What happens to the carcasses of culled birds?
The method of euthanizing infected birds depends on the size and type of farm. On large farms, birds may be suffocated using foam or gassed with CO2. Smaller operations often incinerate the carcasses. For larger flocks, composting is another method used, which helps inactivating the virus while creating a nutrient-rich product.
Are other birds, like ducks and pigeons, dying too?
Yes, avian influenza is widespread among wild birds. The USDA has confirmed infections in over 12,000 wild birds across more than 170 species. These birds contribute to outbreaks on farms, often spreading the virus through droppings and direct contact with poultry.
Can bird flu spread to crops?
Experts are not concerned about crops being contaminated by bird flu. It’s important to wash vegetables, but the risk of bird flu from crops is very low compared to other foodborne illnesses like E. coli or shigella.
Can bird flu spread among people?
There have been no confirmed cases of human-to-human transmission of bird flu so far. However, if the virus mutates, it could become more easily transmissible between humans.
While there have been 70 human cases in the U.S., most of the infected individuals were farmworkers. Scientists are concerned about the potential for the virus to adapt, but they note that fewer human infections reduce the chances of the virus mutating.
Could bird flu become the next pandemic?
Bird flu has caused global concern because human immune systems have never encountered it before. If the virus spreads widely in both wild birds and farm animals, the risk of transmission to humans could increase.
Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, a professor at the University of California, said, “There have been four influenza pandemics since the 20th century, and they all started with avian flu.”
Are there vaccines for people or chickens?
Currently, the U.S. has two bird flu vaccines stockpiled for humans, but they would need FDA approval before being used. Research into mRNA vaccines, similar to the ones used for Covid, is ongoing. However, the Trump administration is considering whether to pull funding for Moderna’s mRNA-based vaccine.
In chickens, vaccines can help prevent infection, and countries like France are already using them. However, the USDA has not approved the vaccine for chickens in the U.S., partly because it would interfere with testing systems used to certify poultry exports.
Is the government helping farmers?
The USDA compensates poultry farmers who report bird flu outbreaks. As of November 2024, the government has paid $1.25 billion in compensation. Additional funds are allocated for cleaning farms and repopulating flocks.
The USDA has also announced a $1 billion plan to address bird flu, with $400 million earmarked to help farmers recover faster after an outbreak.
When will egg prices drop?
The future of egg prices depends on how quickly the outbreak is brought under control. Even after the virus is contained, it could take several months before prices begin to drop. Bowman predicted the outbreak might slow over the summer, but much of the cycle depends on the behavior of migratory birds.
