Egg prices are up 60%, which means we are paying upwards of $5-7 for a dozen eggs. That is if you can find them. Why? A constellation of reasons, but there is one we can’t ignore: the avian flu is hammering poultry farmers.
I like this coverage greatly. I see a future course for YLE after Covid ultimately subsides: to become a source of information for us for zoonotics, emerging infectious diseases, fungal and parasitic outbreaks, etc..in short an early warning system for various threats both great and small to public health. Kind of like having 5 CDC subscriptions (as I do) in one spot!
Probably more but I have to go back years for some post infrequently. There's a fungal one also. I'll go back and search some more,! Found them, went to my confirmation letter then the manage subscriptions option. Under two different email addresses!
Hope this helps. There is a lot of articles in all of these and the could sustain several newsletters!
Slightly OCD question: should we rinse eggs before cracking shells? Some of the free range eggs that I buy will occasionally have matter stuck to them, etc.
As the co-owner of a small (4 birds) backyard chicken farm, I can actually answer that one. Yes, you absolutely need to wash the eggs from your backyard coop, but do it just before you crack the shells. Until then, the eggs will keep up to 2 weeks without refrigeration. And by "wash" I mean, "wipe with a damp paper towel." Once washed, an egg should be either eaten or refrigerated.
Those fresh eggs are just the best, and way better than the ones you can buy in the store, in my experience.
Store-bought eggs, of course, have to be refrigerated right away, since they have already been washed and refrigerated.
Thanks, Lauren, for helping Dr. J. keep us ordinary folks in the loop and sorting out the wheat from the chaff. We appreciate Dr. J’s diligence and hard work and yours too.
Another excellent, useful newsletter. I’m a birder in parks around NYC. I’m not close to the birds I see and can avoid the areas with feeders, but am wondering if you’re recommending masks for birders. Thank you, YLE!
I know that an icosavalent mRNA flu vaccine is in the pipeline, maybe that will include H5N1? Or at least cover such a wide variety of epitopes that it will be good enough for jazz?
What do you think to this article? - probably behind a paywall - 'An Even Deadlier Pandemic Could Soon Be Here' published Feb 3rd 2023, New York Times This is about the H5N1 bird flu strain. Thanks
I'm a backyard flock owner. I can't tell for your language- is the advice for me to wear a mask *whenever* I'm around my birds or in their coop? Or only with perceived sick birds? Would a surgical mask suffice or would you recommend a higher quality? Yeesh. Really takes the zen out of my home-egg situation. The birds have been a way for me to keep my family healthy (fresh eggs we control the birds food/health etc). The idea of this being a masking/gloving anxious part of my life is sad.
I like this coverage greatly. I see a future course for YLE after Covid ultimately subsides: to become a source of information for us for zoonotics, emerging infectious diseases, fungal and parasitic outbreaks, etc..in short an early warning system for various threats both great and small to public health. Kind of like having 5 CDC subscriptions (as I do) in one spot!
I’m curious… what are the CDC subscriptions that you currently have?
Hi Katelyn! I currently have:
1. MMWR
2. EID vector-borne
3. EID parasites
4. EID bacteria
5. EID Zoonoses
6. EID Viruses
7. CDC Covid Data Tracker
8. EID Antimicrobial Resistance
9. EID Fungi
10. EID ZOHU
11. EID What's New
Probably more but I have to go back years for some post infrequently. There's a fungal one also. I'll go back and search some more,! Found them, went to my confirmation letter then the manage subscriptions option. Under two different email addresses!
Hope this helps. There is a lot of articles in all of these and the could sustain several newsletters!
Very informative article, thank you! Info for those asking about bird feeders etc.
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/#
Are wild canadian geese infected? Of course, their feces are all over our playing fields and parks where we all play.
Yes, there have been cases detected in Canada geese:
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-2022/2022-hpai-wild-birds
I wonder this, myself. We have a wild flock nearby that nest around the river
Question for YLE: Any advice about backyard birdfeeders? Do they pose a danger right now? Do we need to do PPE when filling them?
Probably best to remove bird feeders completely.
Great information, thank you.
Slightly OCD question: should we rinse eggs before cracking shells? Some of the free range eggs that I buy will occasionally have matter stuck to them, etc.
As the co-owner of a small (4 birds) backyard chicken farm, I can actually answer that one. Yes, you absolutely need to wash the eggs from your backyard coop, but do it just before you crack the shells. Until then, the eggs will keep up to 2 weeks without refrigeration. And by "wash" I mean, "wipe with a damp paper towel." Once washed, an egg should be either eaten or refrigerated.
Those fresh eggs are just the best, and way better than the ones you can buy in the store, in my experience.
Store-bought eggs, of course, have to be refrigerated right away, since they have already been washed and refrigerated.
More info: https://homesteadandchill.com/store-fresh-eggs/#:~:text=In%20general%2C%20I%20recommend%20waiting,them%20in%20the%20refrigerator%20thereafter.
Would you recommend putting away outdoor bird feeders until the outbreak is done? Thank you, as always, for your thorough newsletter!
https://www.allaboutbirds.org/news/avian-influenza-outbreak-should-you-take-down-your-bird-feeders/#
Thank you. That is very helpful.
Thanks!
Same question including bird baths.
I have the same question too!
I came here to ask this same question!
Thanks, Lauren, for helping Dr. J. keep us ordinary folks in the loop and sorting out the wheat from the chaff. We appreciate Dr. J’s diligence and hard work and yours too.
Great info!
Thank you so much for this information!! It really helps to know the extent of this virus and that it is safe to eat eggs and chicken.
If it takes eggs to make flu vax, and H5N1 is causing shortage of eggs....
Is mRNA flu vax a possibility?
Another excellent, useful newsletter. I’m a birder in parks around NYC. I’m not close to the birds I see and can avoid the areas with feeders, but am wondering if you’re recommending masks for birders. Thank you, YLE!
Are scientists working on an H5N1 vaccine for humans?
Not that I know of, but gosh I think it’s getting close to time
"...crossing our fingers..."
Yikes!
Is H5N1 covered at all by current quad valent flu vax?
I know that an icosavalent mRNA flu vaccine is in the pipeline, maybe that will include H5N1? Or at least cover such a wide variety of epitopes that it will be good enough for jazz?
Very helpful information. Thank you!
What do you think to this article? - probably behind a paywall - 'An Even Deadlier Pandemic Could Soon Be Here' published Feb 3rd 2023, New York Times This is about the H5N1 bird flu strain. Thanks
I'm a backyard flock owner. I can't tell for your language- is the advice for me to wear a mask *whenever* I'm around my birds or in their coop? Or only with perceived sick birds? Would a surgical mask suffice or would you recommend a higher quality? Yeesh. Really takes the zen out of my home-egg situation. The birds have been a way for me to keep my family healthy (fresh eggs we control the birds food/health etc). The idea of this being a masking/gloving anxious part of my life is sad.