The price of chicken and eggs are expected to rise again.

According to reports, there has been a rise in bird flu cases in California and other states, posing a threat to the country’s poultry and egg production.

Bird flu, also known as avian flu, has been responsible for bird fatalities for many years, however it experienced significant outbreaks in both 2004 and 2005. The ongoing epidemic, which is considered the worst in American history, originated in February 2022 at a poultry farm in the Midwest.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, there has been an impact on more than 79 million birds since 2022. The number has significantly risen to 11.4 million last month from 1.3 million in October. In the present, there are 25 commercial and 22 backyard flocks that have been affected, with California alone having 3.3 million affected birds.

In California, specifically in Sonoma County, Marin County, and Merced County, there has been a noticeable increase in the prevalence of severe avian influenza (HPAI), resulting in the culling of hundreds of thousands of chickens and ducks by poultry suppliers. Similar outbreaks have been reported in various other states such as South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Arkansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The recent surge of avian flu cases in Northern California is concerning and could potentially lead to an increase in the prices of poultry and eggs nationwide.

The commercial poultry industry is facing an existential crisis. The industry will need to adjust to this new reality, but it may take some time. The United States is now entering a new era of risk in regards to this situation.