January 7, 2023
With inflation on the rise, prices have increased in every aspect of life and food is no exception. However, the price of eggs has skyrocketed due to another factor: the bird flu.
The avian influenza has been ripping through countries across the world with reported cases in 70 countries (reported by WHO) including Canada, Scotland, the United States, and Honduras. It's been reported that 50 million wild birds have succumbed to the disease in the U.S. alone. Citizens have been urged to remove bird feeders to help slow the spread of the disease.
Egg production has sharply decreased among poultry farms as almost 5 million domestic birds infected around the world. One Twitter user wrote that the price of eggs would be doubling from $3.18 to $7.99 USD in her area.
One user reported even higher prices in New York:
According to the CDC, the Avian flue is a Type A virus found in birds. While the virus normally spreads among wild and aquatic species, but has also been affecting domestic poultry. Humans are not generally susceptible to the virus, although it has happened on rare occasions. The virus can be contracted through saliva and feces and symptoms include ruffled feathers, reduced egg production and death.
The first reported case of the bird flu occurred in the late 1800s affecting mainly chickens in Italy. 2022 saw a rise in cases resulting in an outbreak that has been classified as a global emergency.
Cover Image: wirestock
Comments