A highly pathogenic bird flu virus is spreading to 24 U.S. states within two months of its detection in a commercial flock. Nearly 23 million birds have died thus far making this the worst outbreak of avian flu in the United States since 2015. The outbreak is driving up consumer prices for eggs and chicken. Some birds have died from the disease itself, but more have been culled to try and prevent the spread of the virus. Iowa is one of the worst hit states, and more than 13 million birds have been culled in that state. According to the CDC, bird flu poses a very low risk to humans. It was first detected in wild birds and then found in a commercial turkey flock where it spread from there. Known cases of bird flu now range from Maine to Texas.

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Posted on 19 April 2022