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You’re not imagining it: Egg prices have skyrocketed. Depending on where you live in the United States, a carton of eggs might cost as much as $10—that is, if you can find one on shelves in the first place.
This sudden surge in prices isn’t only caused by inflation. It’s also caused by the H5N1 bird flu that has devastated the poultry industry in recent months, resulting in egg shortages around the country.
Though millions of birds have been affected by the disease, it’s important to note that the CDC still categorizes the public health risk as low. Still, you might be wondering: “Can I get the bird flu from eating eggs?” Here’s what you need to know.
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How Does Bird Flu Spread?
The H5N1 flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide, and is now causing outbreaks in U.S. poultry and dairy cows. According to the CDC, the “Avian influenza A viruses are very contagious among birds,” and infected birds can shed avian flu viruses in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.
Birds can become infected when they come into contact with the virus as it’s shed by sick birds or on contaminated surfaces. Avian influenza A viruses usually do not infect people, but there have been some rare cases of human infection with these viruses, per the CDC. There is little evidence that H5N1 flu can spread from one human to another, and such cases are extremely rare.
At this time, people who come into close contact with infected animals are far more likely to get bird flu than the general public.
Can You Get Bird Flu From Eating Eggs?
The risk of getting H5N1 from eating eggs or poultry and other meat is extremely low, especially if you take the proper precautions.
“Infected chickens shed the virus in their feces and from their respiratory tract,” according to poultry scientist Reudiger Hauck, PhD. “This means that eggs and meat are unlikely to transmit the virus.”
It’s worth noting that, per a 2015 report, the USDA inspects every meat, poultry, and egg product plant in the country (as well as the products themselves) before anything hits shelves—so store-bought eggs are likely in the clear.
Can You Tell If An Egg Came From An Infected Bird?
Infected chickens become sick quickly after contracting the virus and usually show obvious symptoms, such as difficulty breathing and a noticeable lack of energy. They also experience a drop in egg production. Eggs they do lay may be small, soft-shelled, and malformed—so they probably wouldn’t make it to the carton anyway.
“Birds infected with H5N1 will cease to lay eggs and die within a few days, so eggs or meat of H5N1-infected birds are unlikely to reach the customer,” Dr. Hauck says.
Of course, if you purchase an egg that doesn’t seem quite right, it’s best to go ahead and throw it out.
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How Can I Protect Myself From Bird Flu?
Poultry scientist Joseph Giambrone, PhD stresses that the best way to stay healthy is to practice smart food safety habits when preparing food—something you should be doing anyway to avoid foodborne illnesses such as Salmonella and E. coli.
- Always cook your meat and poultry products to the appropriate internal temperature: Thorough cooking kills bacteria and viruses that might be present in foods, including bird flu. Chicken and eggs should always be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees F. It’s always a good idea to use a meat thermometer to check that your food is fully cooked before consuming.
- Prepare meat and poultry products away from foods that won’t be cooked: Avoid cross-contamination by separating poultry products from fresh foods, such as leafy greens. “Make your salad first, then prepare the chicken,” Dr. Giambrone says.
- Avoid raw milk and unpasteurized eggs: Pasteurization is effective at killing the H5N1 virus in milk and eggs, according to recent FDA studies. The milk and eggs you’ll find at most grocery stores are pasteurized, but it doesn’t hurt to check the label to make sure.
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