Avian Flu Outbreak Causes Egg Shortages and Price Surge to $9 per Dozen in California, Linked to 66 Human Cases

Jan 3, 2025, 09:14 AM

The avian influenza outbreak, specifically the H5N1 strain, has led to significant egg price increases and shortages across the United States, particularly in California. Egg prices in California have surged nearly 70% in the past month, reaching up to $9 per dozen in some areas, driven by a reduction in supply due to the bird flu. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that the California benchmark for large shell eggs rose to $8.97 per dozen. The outbreak has also caused egg shortages in multiple regions, including Auburn, California, and Rocky River, Ohio. Wholesale egg prices have risen 150% from a year ago, exacerbating the situation. The avian flu has affected millions of birds, leading to empty shelves in stores and prompting concerns about the spread of the virus to other species, including humans and cats. There have been 66 confirmed human cases of bird flu in the U.S. this year, with about two-thirds of cases linked to dairy herds.