The United States witnessed an increase in egg prices, and even a scarcity. Bird flu is the cause, but it does not affect the prices of eggs and not only affects birds. Bird flu is responsible for mammal deaths all over the world. In January of this year, the United States reported the death of a person due to bird flu.
A report by writers Kim Maas and Shawn Collins asked in Fox: If the bird flu kills the right and left animals, and has killed at least one person, then should you worry?
What is the bird flu?
Bird flu is an influenza virus that appears to be established in water birds (such as ducks or geese), but it can spread to any animal, as well as humans. And when water birds spread the virus through their waste or liquids of their body, usually; We can see some of the very bad effects on birds. In domesticated poultry, we see a death rate of approximately 100%.
Are we in the pandemic of bird flu?
The term epidemic tends to refer to the uncontrolled spread of human disease; Experts say what we see here is an animal pandemic, and it is basically an animal’s pace. This breed of bird flu is found in every continent except Australia, and Australia has its own fatal breed. It is also found in the water, found in dolphins, seals and the lions of the sea, and in 2023 the sea cliff 24 thousand sea lion to South America, killed by bird flu.
The influenza was destroyed for poultry alphabet; The birds see almost drunk, struggling to walk, before they suddenly collapse. In an attempt to stop the spread of the disease, the farmer executes the chicken collectively, and often in horrific ways.
The number of mammals afflicted by bird flu is currently astronomically.
Should humans worry about this to lead to a pandemic?
Humans can develop bird flu, and the infection that has been transmitted to humans is usually light, but it is worth monitoring. At least one person died in America because of this, although experts consider this death an anomaly.
There are many animal viruses, but they do not pose a danger to humans because they do not have the characteristics needed to spread among humans. Currently, bird flu can be infected with an animal, but you will not transfer it to someone else. Unless this situation changes, we will not be in the phase of the epidemic.
Experts closely monitor the extent of humans (and the types with them in a lot) with infected animals. The more this strain connects to the bird flu with different animals, the greater the chances of its reproduction. With all the proliferation, the possibility of genetic formation and mutations comes, that is, changes in the structure of the virus that may change its properties, and these changes may make it spread more easily among humans.
This is a high possibility, but you should know that bird flu has the ability to turn into a pandemic, but currently there is no need to worry about it.
What can people do to protect themselves?
Be aware that the influenza is spreading among the animals that we are around a lot, such as chicken and cows. If you are working on a farm, some experts are advised to wear personal protection equipment, especially for dairy and poultry producers.
Do not consume animal products that are not subject to safety treatments, do not drink raw milk, while pasteurized milk is very safe. The same applies to meat; Do not eat it raw.
If you see a bird that behaves strangely, stay away from it.
Get the flu vaccine, while it will not protect from bird flu, it will help protect from seasonal flu. Once again, reinstating is one of the great risks here. If someone has seasonal influenza and bird flu at the same time, this creates an opportunity to change bird flu in ways that may make it more dangerous to humans.
Bird flu raises egg prices
In the United States, egg prices again recorded a record, as bird flu outbreaks continued.
The most recent monthly indicator of consumer prices showed that the average price of 12 first -class eggs in American cities amounted to $ 5.9 in February, an increase of 10.4% compared to last year. This price exceeded the record recorded in January, which amounted to $ 4.95.
Bird flu caused farmers to execute more than 166 million chickens, most of which were white chicken. Since the beginning of the year only, more than 30 million chickens have been executed.
The price for 12 eggs remained less than two dollars for decades before the disease spread.
The US Department of Agriculture expects that egg prices will rise by 41% this year compared to the average last year of $ 3.17 per 12 eggs.
But there may be light at the end of the tunnel.
The US Department of Agriculture reported last week that egg deficiency began to decline and that wholesale prices are declining, which may provide some release at the retail level.
The ministry added that no significant outbreak of bird flu was recorded two weeks ago.