Avian influenza is ravaging flocks of egg-laying birds
I went to go get a dozen eggs the other day during a regular grocery run. I initially thought I was having a vision problem when I saw the price ($4.50 for store brand). It had been a while since I bought any because we don't go through them very quickly, but holy sh*t, I wasn't expecting that. I regret to inform you that there may not be any immediate relief.
It's the flu, damn it. Specifically, the highly pathogenic and deadly avian flu, according to NPR. As a result, if a flock gets infected, there's a good chance it will decimate the entire population and farmers will kill every single animal (it's that bad).
Because egg-laying birds are especially vulnerable to the avian flu, 52.7 million birds have already perished this year from the illness or from being killed by humans. Given those astounding, record-breaking numbers, it stands to reason that egg prices will skyrocket. Because meat-producing chickens like roaster birds are less susceptible to infection, meat prices haven't been negatively impacted by the disease and are actually declining as a result of an easier supply.
Because it can spread among wild bird populations, this strain of avian flu is particularly problematic this season. Therefore, if a bird of prey eats a dead duck or chicken, the disease may spread to other populations of poultry. At least we don't have to worry about transmission to humans because it happens very infrequently.
Vegan egg substitutes are available in the interim, and ingredients like vegan mayo (which, in my experience, is actually quite good), which can help reduce your reliance on eggs, are also available. Additionally, you can make a lot of traditional dishes like pasta without eggs.
Unfortunately, it's impossible to predict whether and when the avian flu will subside, so it's unlikely that egg prices will decrease anytime soon. The creation of a vaccine is in progress, but it will probably take some time before it can be used, which means that by that time, more flocks can easily be culled. So, if you ever come across an egg sale, profit from it.
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