Introduction

Bird flu, or avian influenza, is hitting the agriculture industry hard. This highly contagious virus is not only killing millions of birds but also causing food prices to rise and even spreading to other animals. Farmers, businesses, and even consumers are feeling the impact.

In this article, we’ll break down what’s happening, why it matters, and what experts are doing to stop it.

Massive Bird Losses and Higher Prices

Since 2022, the U.S. has been battling one of the worst bird flu outbreaks in history. Over 166 million birds—mostly egg-laying hens—have had to be killed to stop the virus from spreading. This has created a major egg shortage, driving prices up (AP News, 2025 1).

• Egg prices skyrocketed 13.8% in January 2025 and are expected to go up by 41% this year (San Francisco Chronicle, 2025 2).
• Farmers are spending more on safety measures to protect their chickens, adding to costs.

Chicken meat production (the broiler industry) is also suffering. Strict safety rules mean farmers have to spend extra to keep their flocks safe, making poultry more expensive (Financial Times, 2025 3).

The Virus Is Spreading to Other Animals

One of the scariest developments is that bird flu is no longer just a bird problem.

• Cats have tested positive for the virus after eating infected meat. A cat in New Jersey was recently euthanized after contracting the disease (The Guardian, 2025 4).
• Dairy cows have been infected, and the CDC recently confirmed that a human in Texas got sick after exposure to infected cattle (Food & Wine, 2025 5). This is extremely rare but worrying.

Scientists are closely watching to see if the virus mutates further, which could make it even more dangerous (Wikipedia, 2025 6).

The Economic Ripple Effect

The bird flu outbreak is having a massive economic impact:

• The U.S. government is investing $1 billion in efforts to stop the spread, support farmers, and bring egg prices down (San Francisco Chronicle, 2025 2).
• Consumers are paying more for eggs, chicken, and other poultry products (AP News, 2025 1).
• Countries like Brazil are benefiting because they’re seeing higher demand for their chicken exports as other nations struggle with shortages (Financial Times, 2025 3).

What’s Being Done to Stop It?

Officials and scientists are working hard to control the outbreak:

✔ Better Biosecurity: Farms are using stricter cleaning and monitoring methods.
✔ Culling Infected Birds: Large-scale culling helps stop the virus from spreading, though it’s costly.
✔ Vaccine Development: Researchers are working on a vaccine for poultry to prevent future outbreaks (USDA, 2025 2).

Despite these efforts, it could take months—or even longer—before food prices stabilize.

Final Thoughts

Bird flu isn’t just a farming problem—it’s affecting food prices, farmers, and even other animals. While scientists and officials are working on solutions, the economic and health effects of the outbreak are already being felt worldwide.

Want to stay updated? Keep an eye on food prices, safety warnings, and government efforts to control the virus.

Sources:

1. AP News. (2025). USDA Forecasts Egg Price Increase. Retrieved from AP News.
2. San Francisco Chronicle. (2025). USDA’s $1 Billion Investment to Combat Avian Flu. Retrieved from SF Chronicle.
3. Financial Times. (2025). Impact on Global Poultry Exports. Retrieved from FT.
4. The Guardian. (2025). Detection of H5N1 in Feral Cat in New Jersey. Retrieved from The Guardian.
5. Food & Wine. (2025). CDC Confirms Human H5N1 Infections Linked to Dairy Cows. Retrieved from Food & Wine.
6. Wikipedia. (2025). Avian Influenza Outbreak Timeline and Data. Retrieved from Wikipedia.