It might soon become harder to make healthy breakfasts. Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the largest producer of eggs in the United States, has closed one of its facilities in Texas due to an outbreak of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). Two million birds have succumbed to the virus, leading to the depopulation of approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets. This accounts for around 3.6% of the company’s total flock, as reported by Fox Business. Find all the details below.
Cal-Maine Foods Halts Egg Production Due to Bird Flu Outbreak
"Production at the facility has temporarily ceased as the company follows the protocols prescribed by the USDA," Cal-Maine Foods has stated. Luckily, no known risk related to HPAI [Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza] associated with eggs that are currently in the market and no eggs have been recalled.
Cal-Maine Foods is actively working to mitigate disruptions to its customers' supply chain. They are exploring alternative production sources and maintaining close coordination with federal, state, and local government officials, as well as focused industry groups, to effectively manage the response and minimize the risk of future outbreaks.
The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also confirmed a human case of H5N1 in Texas on Monday. This marks the second human case in the United States, following an initial case in Colorado in 2022. Despite these occurrences, the CDC maintains that the overall risk assessment for the U.S. general public remains low.
"This infection does not change the H5N1 bird flu human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which CDC considers to be low," the CDC affirmed. However, they caution that individuals with close or prolonged, unprotected exposure to infected birds or other animals, as well as those in environments contaminated by infected birds or animals, are at greater risk of infection.
The spread of avian influenza extends beyond poultry; dairy cows in Texas and Kansas have also been infected with the bird flu, The Associated Press reports.
It's advised to consume only fully cooked eggs—so you might have to stay away from that eggs Benedict for a while.
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