U.S. Faces Historic Bird Flu Crisis, Devastating Egg Industry

Farmers struggle with unprecedented losses as experts push for vaccinations to combat the rapidly spreading virus.

The ongoing bird flu outbreak has killed over 150 million birds in the U.S. since 2022, with 30 million deaths occurring in just the first six weeks of 2025.
Farmers have implemented costly biosecurity measures, but the virus continues to spread, affecting poultry, wild birds, mammals, and even humans, with 68 human cases and one death confirmed so far.
Experts and farmers are increasingly advocating for poultry vaccinations, a strategy already used in countries like China and France, despite concerns about trade restrictions and asymptomatic infections.
Egg shortages and production losses have driven prices up by 53% year-over-year, with grocery stores and restaurants imposing purchase limits and surcharges to manage supply issues.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture has spent $1.8 billion addressing the outbreak, but farmers warn that without new solutions, the crisis will persist and further strain the industry.