For millions of Americans, the simple act of buying eggs has turned into a costly frustration. Prices have soared, shelves are often empty, and breakfast just isn’t the same. The reason? A relentless bird flu outbreak has hit poultry farms hard, wiping out millions of egg-laying hens and pushing costs through the roof.
Determined to tackle the crisis, newly appointed U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins met with farmers to hear their concerns firsthand. “We will take aggressive action to help our poultry farmers combat avian flu and make eggs affordable again,” she promised.
Since the outbreak began in 2022, more than 162 million birds have been lost, and with no cure, farmers have had little choice but to cull infected flocks to stop the spread. This drastic measure has driven egg prices up by nearly 20% this year alone.
Some experts believe a bird flu vaccine could help. A promising option from Zoetis has already been used to protect endangered condors. But vaccinating commercial poultry isn’t so simple. Many countries refuse to import vaccinated birds, which could cost the U.S. billions in lost exports. Plus, the sheer effort of vaccinating millions of chickens one by one would be a logistical nightmare.
Other nations, like France, have embraced mass vaccination with some success. But in the U.S., industry leaders argue that strengthening farm biosecurity remains the best strategy for now.
Meanwhile, the virus continues to spread, reaching not just birds but also cows and even humans. Experts warn that unless a sustainable solution is found, egg prices will keep climbing and this crisis isn’t going away anytime soon.
