Eggs and chicken are going to get scarce
A strain of highly infectious bird flu is devastating poultry producers in the Midwest. The outbreak has spread to 174 farms in 15 states, and has forced farmers to destroy 38.9 million birds in order to try to halt the infection.
This particular strain of bird flu is not very contagious to people. However, it has hit our nation's egg-producing area very hard, and prices may rise in the near future.
The flu is also posing a mystery for scientists, regarding its method of transmission. In the past, bird flu was thought to be only contagious through close bird-to-bird contact, as in a flock. Migratory waterfowl were blamed for spreading the disease, when they stop and flock up with domestic chickens along their route.
However, the flu has spread so fast, and through such a widespread area, that researchers believe that the virus may be carried by people. Although most farms have basic biosecurity procedures in place, including decontamination showers and disposable booties, security has been lax recently.
The virus may also be getting spread by an unknown carrier, like a rodent or insect.
In the meantime, the destruction and disposal of so many birds is having a catastrophic effect on the local landfills, and will no doubt have a huge financial impact on the farms, and on the economy at large.