By Jamie Martin
Bird flu continues to severely impact poultry farms in the Midwest, especially in Ohio and Indiana, where nearly 5 million birds have died in recent months.
Since 2022, the H5 strain has killed over 166 million birds across the U.S., raising fears of a pandemic and driving egg prices to record highs.
The virus has also spread to dairy cattle and infected 70 people since April 2024, mostly farm workers. Experts say the risk of the virus mutating and spreading between people is growing.
“Because we have a number of barriers to reducing spillover infections, it becomes increasingly difficult to say that we’re not getting closer to the pandemic stage,” said Carol Cardona, a University of Minnesota avian flu expert.
Researchers believe vaccines could help contain the outbreak, especially for laying hens. A vaccine could reduce the need to kill entire flocks and ease the pressure on farmers. However, some meat producers worry vaccination may hurt exports.
Federal response has been slow, though USDA announced $100 million for vaccine and biosecurity research. Vaccines are not yet widely used due to trade concerns, but experts warn that without action, losses will continue.
Replacing birds takes time and resources. For example, a facility in Indiana recently culled 1.3 million young hens, causing long-term egg shortages. As a result, egg prices rose to $5.89 per dozen in February.
Consumer demand remains high despite prices, and some analysts say lack of competition in the egg market has also contributed to cost increases.
Meanwhile, bird migrations in the Great Lakes region are worsening the problem. Loss of wetlands is pushing birds closer to farms, increasing the risk of outbreaks.
Experts emphasize that vaccination could prevent further losses, protect farm workers, and reduce the chances of a pandemic.
Photo Credit: usda
Categories: National