Bird Flu Outbreak Impacts Egg and Poultry Prices
At the end of 2022, poultry farms across the U.S. faced a sudden bird flu outbreak. Although the risk of bird-to-human transmission is low, the outbreak resulted in increased bird culling to contain the spread. Consequently, egg and poultry prices soared in recent months, with a dozen eggs reaching prices as high as $4.82 in January.
The White House is considering a large-scale vaccination campaign for chickens to combat the epidemic and mitigate the escalating poultry costs. The CDC is actively searching for a potential vaccine, with support from major pharmaceutical companies and the Agricultural Research Service for an internal solution.
The Biden administration is reportedly considering a mass vaccination campaign for poultry to combat avian flu outbreaks that have killed millions of chickens and driven up the cost of eggs. Source
According to a White House National Security Council spokesperson, the U.S. is exploring various strategies to safeguard the food supply in response to outbreaks. Efforts are currently focused on improving biosafety practices.
If the White House proceeds with the vaccination initiative, researchers estimate a viable bird flu vaccine candidate could be available as early as May.
