When a staple grocery store food becomes scarce, it’s hard not to freak out. Eggs have always been a cheap, easy-to-buy food at every grocery store. Now, walking into the store, egg supplies are limited and range from $3 to $7 a cartoon. With eggs being a huge contribution to many recipes and foods, it’s now become a struggle to access such a staple food. Many people have questions as to why this is happening, especially to eggs, which have always been so accessible.
There has been an increase in highly pathogenic Avian Influenza in birds across the United States. In December of 2022, there were 5.07 million birds infected by the Avian Flu. Chickens being affected has increased egg prices and has caused a shortage in eggs as a whole even though it is not only chickens but all birds who are infected.
According to a CNBC article published on Nov. 11, the price of USDA Grade A eggs is almost double what it was a year ago. This affects the general public, but especially people who can not afford to buy staple foods, like eggs, for more than four dollars.
According to the CDC, beginning in 2022, there have been more than 49 million birds across 46 states in the US that have died from being infected by the Avian flu. The largest outbreak of this flu was in 2015, affecting 50.5 million birds. However, in 2015, only 21 states were affected. This outbreak has affected nearly 50 states. There are precautions the CDC has disclosed in their article directing people to stay away from contact with wild birds and infected birds.
Some might question why the price of chicken has not increased the same way. The price of chicken has actually decreased by 1.3%. This is because a large amount of the Avian flu only affects egg-laying hens. Although this is good for chicken production, the egg shortage is a prevailing issue for the general public.
People whose income revolves around their chicken eggs, like farmers, have now been put at risk of this infection spreading. Close contact with this flu can increase the spreading throughout chickens and also humans spreading it from chicken to chicken. This is slowing down the production of eggs, therefore a shortage is happening.
This Avian flu does not have a huge impact on the general public’s health because it is a bird flu. However, the result of eggs no longer being accessible does put a huge strain on people who rely on them for an easy and less expensive food option.