"Bird Flu Outbreak Leads to Culling of Millions of Poultry Birds and Rising Egg Prices"

The bird flu outbreak has severely impacted the poultry industry this year, with over 30 million birds culled across nine states, marking a significant increase compared to earlier reports. This drastic reduction, especially in egg-laying hens, has contributed to a notable national egg shortage, leading to soaring prices during the initial months of the Trump administration. However, egg prices have recently decreased due to lower demand and a reduction in infections, with the average wholesale price dropping to $3.13 from its peak earlier in the year.

President Trump noted last week that egg availability is high, suggesting prices may drop further despite the Department of Agriculture's acknowledgment that consumer prices remain elevated and not at a level that supports normal purchasing. The persistence of bird flu, particularly following a recent outbreak in Ohio, poses ongoing challenges. In total, the USDA has confirmed 41 outbreaks among egg-laying flocks this year, with significant losses amounting to 30.6 million birds, including both caged and cage-free systems. Since January 2022, the total impact on poultry birds has reached nearly 169 million.

Ohio has been disproportionately affected, losing approximately 13.5 million birds and reporting its first human case of bird flu earlier this year. In response, Governor Mike DeWine urged the federal government to expedite research and response efforts to control the virus's spread. The Department of Agriculture has proposed a $1 billion plan to manage bird flu, allocating $400 million to assist farmers in the cleanup and repopulation of their operations.

Despite these efforts, concerns over cuts to the bird flu response team amid recent layoffs in the Department of Health and Human Services raise alarm. Experts warn that allowing the virus to spread unchecked could lead to mutations and increased risks for farm workers. Nevertheless, health officials reassure the public that the current risk of bird flu is low, noting that transmissions between humans remain unproven. The Ohio Department of Health indicates that while the general public is not in immediate danger, individuals who have come into close contact with infected birds may face higher infection risks.