Bird Flu Outbreak: 20 Million Chickens Dead, Egg Prices Soar

Tejal Somvanshi

Rapid 24-hour flu testing protocols are being mandated by CDC as bird flu cases reach 67 total infections, with 66 cases detected in 2024.

Photo Source: Secretaria de Agricultura e Abastecimento do Estado de São Paulo Agriculturasp (CC BY 2.0)

Virus mutations were identified after a Louisiana resident's death from backyard chicken exposure, sparking transmission concerns.

Photo Source: Adam Ward (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Devastating losses of 18.68 million poultry birds are being recorded while infections spread through 300 dairy herds across farms.

Photo Source: Matthew T Rader, (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Containment efforts worth $1.5 billion are being coordinated by USDA, with 300 personnel deployed to combat avian influenza spread.

Photo Source: ben (CC BY 2.0)

Milk production could be affected for years as open-sided barn structures are left vulnerable to wild bird contact.

Photo Source:  Thomas Fries, (CC BY-SA 3.0 de)

Virus tracking abilities are being hampered by multi-day testing delays at hospitals, as samples remain unprocessed after patient discharge.

Photo Source: Pavel Danilyuk (Pexels)

Three bird flu cases were detected among 83,000 flu samples within the past year, yet mutation risks are being monitored.

Photo Source: Larry Rana (CC0 1.0)

Raw milk consumption and unprotected handling of infected animals are being identified as primary risk factors.

Photo Source: Ministry of the Russian Federation for the Development of the Far East (CC0 1.0)

Earlier implementation of rapid testing measures was advocated by Dr. Alex Greninger for improved containment.

Photo Source: Pavel Danilyuk (Pexels)

Real-time monitoring systems are being emphasized by CDC's Dr. Nirav Shah for effective virus tracking.

Photo Source: Gustavo Fring (Pexels)