SAN JOSE, CALIF.—Due to a recent Bird Flu outbreak, the supply of eggs in our local supermarkets have declined and their prices have increased. 

Bird Flu is an infectious disease that dates back many decades, with the most recent outbreak starting in March 2024. This disease is caused by avian influenza A viruses commonly spread amongst birds according to an article by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), titled “About Bird Flu,”. These infected birds have made their way into our livestock and, most significantly, our poultry. 

While eating raw or improperly cooked foods will make you ill, it will most likely be from improper food handling and not because it came from an infected animal. According to an article by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “About Bird Flu,” those who are at a higher risk of carrying this disease are the people who work closely with animals, such as livestock farmers and workers, veterinarians and related occupations. Some symptoms include fever, fatigue, sore throat and in severe cases, seizures. 

Since infected animals are not allowed to enter the food supply, the amount of eggs distributed in our supermarkets have tanked. This disease isn’t exclusive to every day chicken eggs; it also targets duck, quail and many different types of bird eggs, as well as different types of livestock like cows. The first time this disease was detected in U.S. cows was on March 25, 2024. To them, the disease isn’t as fatal as it is to chickens, but they still suffer symptoms such as “low appetite, reduced milk production, and abnormal appearance of milk,” according to an article by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA), “Avian influenza virus type A (H5N1) in U.S. dairy cattle.” 

Another major factor in increasing prices is the current U.S. inflation rate, which is 2.9% as of December 2024. Although the number may seem small, according to “What is the current inflation rate in the US?” by USA Facts, inflation has caused the price of eggs to increase by 36.8%. This means that the $2.51 average price from December 2023 is now up to $4.15 as of December 2024 and rising. 

“I’m not going to stop buying them (eggs),” Alejandro Mendoza, biology and physiology teacher at Silver Creek High School said,  “I’m not disturbed by the price, if anything I’d get my own hens.” Mendoza shared that since he and his wife don’t eat eggs that much he doesn’t mind paying a couple extra dollars to the Santa Cruz supermarket he gets his eggs from. 

It is hard to predict when and how prices and supply will return to normal. All we can do for now is use our eggs diligently and carefully separate the sick and healthy animals.