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The Ongoing Bird Flu Crisis: Impact on Poultry, Egg Industry, and Global Mortality
The Ongoing Bird Flu Crisis: Impact on Poultry, Egg Industry, and Global Mortality
The H5N1 avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, has significantly impacted global poultry populations, leading to substantial mortality rates and economic consequences, particularly in the egg industry.
Timeline and Geographic Spread
The current H5N1 outbreak began in 2022 and has since spread across multiple continents, affecting numerous countries. In the United States, the outbreak intensified in late 2024, with over 41 million birds culled in December and January alone, marking the most destructive period of the outbreak.
Impact on Poultry and Egg Production
The avian flu has led to the culling of approximately 162 million birds across 17 U.S. states, including 21 million egg-laying hens. This has resulted in egg shortages and increased prices, with U.S. egg prices reaching a 45-year high.
Human Cases and Mortality
As of January 6, 2025, there have been 66 confirmed human cases of H5N1 bird flu in the United States since 2024, with one reported death in Louisiana.
Global Response and Measures
In response to the outbreak, Turkey is set to export 15,000 tonnes of eggs to the United States to help alleviate the impact of bird flu, which has drastically reduced U.S. egg production and increased prices.
While the current public health risk is low, health officials continue to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of biosecurity measures and surveillance to prevent further spread.
Recent Developments in the Bird Flu Outbreak
Sources:
A Bird-Flu Vaccine Could Bring Down Egg Prices. Why the Poultry Industry Is Fighting It.
Turkey to export 15,000 tonnes of eggs to US to ease bird flu disruptions