A deadly bird flu outbreak has wreaked havoc on U.S. chicken farms, claiming the lives of over 20 million egg-laying chickens last quarter, marking the worst impact on America’s egg supply since the outbreak began in 2022.
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) data shows the staggering toll included chickens culled to contain the virus, too. This, in turn, has contributed to record-high egg prices across all production types, including conventional, cage-free, and certified organic systems, a USDA report published on Jan. 10 shows.
The federal government has spent $1.25 billion compensating farmers for chickens lost to bird flu since the outbreak began, aiming to encourage farmers to report infections and help stop the virus from spreading, a news release from CBS News states.
Bird flu cases surge during winter as migrating wild birds carry the virus south — cooler weather helping it spread.
This winter, the virus has spread beyond poultry, spilling into dairy herds. Hundreds of infected herds have been linked to contaminated raw milk, which spreads through farmers’ clothing, equipment, and other animals shared between farms.
California has been hit especially hard, prompting the state to declare a state of emergency.