Avian Influenza

← Prev
Photo Gallery
Next →

You might have noticed that the price of eggs in your local grocery store has gone up. Since April 2015, more than 12 percent of America’s egg laying hens has been affected by Avian Influenza (AI), also known as bird flu. This has made the supply of eggs tighter and has resulted in an increase in egg prices at some stores.

AI is a virus that infects all types of avian species, including wild birds and domestic poultry. AI is an animal health issue that causes mild to severe symptoms in birds and, in its most extreme form, can be fatal to infected birds. According to the Center of Disease Control, the risk to human health is low, and no human infections with these viruses have been detected.

AI cannot be transmitted through properly cooked eggs. The U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Food and Drug Administration and the World Health Organization all agree that properly cooked eggs are safe to eat. Cook basic egg recipes until the yolk and white are firm and cook or bake any dishes containing eggs until they reach 160º F.

For more details about Avian Influenza, visit the Egg Safety Center or read the Bird Flu and Egg Prices blog post.