Egg prices soar amid avian flu outbreak
Illustration by Ivy Saunders.
Charlie Martin, Contributing Writer
Egg prices are rising sharply in the midst of a nationwide shortage, according to the AP.
Some producers in Virginia have joined impacted poultry farms around the country in depopulating their flocks, according to a news release by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. By doing so, they hope to curb the spread of avian influenza, or bird flu.
The virus has mainly impacted wild birds and livestock. There is currently no evidence of bird flu being transmitted person-to-person, according to the Virginia Department of Health.
Emily Yimer, a fourth-year anthropology student, said her buying habits were impacted by the price increase and that she saw a connection to the avian influenza.
“I know a lot of people think it’s inflation, and it might be for a little bit, but I know that that’s going on too,” Yimer said.
Sammy Van, a first-year computer science student, also expressed concern over the potential for the spread of avian influenza from birds to other animals.
“I heard it could be passed to animals as well, I assume it could spread to humans also, so that’s concerning,” Van said.
Van said he was not a frequent buyer of eggs, but he was still concerned about the broader economic impact of the shortage.
“It’s more worrying for any of the farmers who raise the chickens to produce the eggs,” Van said.
