We are in the midst of a current resurgence of High Pathogenic Avian Flu cases, and one of the latest outbreaks is taking out more than a million table egg layers in Iowa.
However, to put it into perspective, USDA data shows the impacts of HPAI this year are much less severe than last. 4.6 million birds have been culled this year, and in 2022, that number was almost 58 million. This has kept prices of poultry and eggs way down from what we saw last year, with eggs averaging $2 less a dozen than those record highs.
Experts are worried that the virus’ appearance this fall shows it learned how to survive the summer.
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Starting Monday, April 29, the USDA will require free avian flu (HPAI H5N1) testing on all dairy cattle before interstate travel. Positive cases must be directly reported to the USDA for tracing.
After months of declining consumer egg prices, buyers could be facing a sharp increase in costs as prices surge upwards once again.
Researchers out of the United Kingdom are using gene editing technology to help make High-Path Avian Flu less of a threat to poultry.
