The Impact of Bird Flu

In numerous grocery stores in Miami, the supply of eggs has been cut short, leading to increased prices on those remaining. This is due to the fact that chickens are being infected with avian influenza, better known as bird flu; a disease that causes respiratory issues, lack of coordination, and death among different species of birds. Although bird flu is known for its effects on chickens, it also affects wild birds such as ducks, geese, swans, hawks, eagles, and other domestic birds like turkey.

The disease has been around for centuries, but the first known outbreak was reported in Italy in 1878 called the “fowl plague” known for causing high death rates among poultry. However, bird flu did not emerge as a major public health concern until the late 20th century after several additional outbreaks across the world.
The most recent outbreak of bird flu is the one most of the world is currently experiencing. Almost every continent is suffering through the effects of bird flu but the specific countries that have had outbreaks include China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Japan, and The United States. This means, birds in those regions have undergone hardships. Although, depending on the severity, the birds will experience different symptoms.

For low pathogenic avian influenza, birds may experience mild symptoms such as ruffled feathers, or if lucky, no symptoms at all. Unfortunately, birds who have more extreme bird flu, highly pathogenic avian influenza, experience symptoms that will cause the birds pain, discomfort, or even death. These birds go through coughing, sneezing, swelling, discoloration, rapid weight loss, reduced appetite, and decreased egg production, the symptom that directly affects humans since there will be less opportunities to consume chicken eggs.

Due to the lack of egg production, the few eggs that are stocked in stores, such as Publix, Trader Joe’s, and Costco, have increased prices. There is a chance that unhealthy chickens infected with bird flu can lay eggs and although the chicken is sick, the eggs would be safe to consume because the virus does not survive well in eggs, especially after they are properly cooked. The main risk of humans getting infected with bird flu comes from interacting with the infected live poultry directly, such as touching the birds, handling raw poultry, or even inhaling virus particles from the air near infected birds. Bird flu can be fatal to humans, also causing eye irritation, fevers, coughs, sore throats, running noses, headaches, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, and trouble breathing. In order for humans to avoid getting infected, they must wash their hands properly with soap and hot water after touching raw meat, clean supplies that came in contact with the meat, and cook eggs and the raw meat to at least 165*F to avoid getting sick.

Interested? Find more by Shanna here!

ABOUT SHANNA

Shanna is a 9th-grader taking her first journalism class at Centner Academy. She is responsible for writing captions and brief introductions for articles, as well as designing the physical copy of the Pollinator Post. Shanna is passionate about writing reviews and conducting interviews. Outside of journalism, Shanna also enjoys ballet.