Economic reports and analyses from state agricultural departments

H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak in US Farms: Economic Impacts, Health Concerns, and Egg Shortages

Dec 15, 2024, 02:24 PM

The H5N1 bird flu virus, also known as avian influenza, has been causing significant concern due to its spread among poultry and dairy farms in the United States, leading to economic impacts and potential health risks. In San Joaquin County, California, two farmworkers were confirmed to have contracted the virus, experiencing mild symptoms after exposure to infected animals. The virus has also been detected in poultry flocks in Missouri, prompting biosecurity measures to contain its spread. The outbreak has led to an egg shortage in the Bay Area, with empty shelves and rising prices reported due to the impact on poultry farms. Additionally, the virus has been found in dairy cows in several states, with California reporting nearly 500 cases. The economic ripple effect includes a significant increase in egg prices, with wholesale prices rising nearly 55% in November, causing retail prices to spike by 8.2%. This situation has raised concerns about the virus's potential to mutate and become more transmissible among humans, especially given its ability to infect a variety of species and its presence in large, confined animal operations.