Bird flu has been a looming threat recently, and public health officials are reporting more and more cases. H5N1 has impacted birds, livestock, and humans alike across multiple continents. The first fatal human case of bird flu was reported in Louisiana recently, but health experts believe that public health risks still remain low. All the same, consumers are concerned about bird flu and how it can affect our food.
Understanding the Bird Flu
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is not a new disease. Mainly affecting birds, it reached North America in 2021 and has spread to commercial poultry operations in every state. More recently, H5N1 has made its way into dairy cattle farms across 16 states as well. The virus can spread so aggressively because migrating birds do not care about state borders. These birds stop near other birds for food or water and can exposing domestic and wild flocks. Poultry that get infected typically die in a matter of days, which has now resulted in over 150 million domestic birds dying in the U.S. alone. This impact on commercial operations has created serious supply chain pressures and shortages, causing egg and poultry prices to rise. Bird flu has also been found in skunks, foxes, cats, and raccoons, indicating a new adaptability to other species we haven’t seen before.
