Why are there no eggs? Avian flu and keeping human risk low
yourlocalepidemiologist.substack.com
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!
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.
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!
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!
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.
Question for YLE: Any advice about backyard birdfeeders? Do they pose a danger right now? Do we need to do PPE when filling them?
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.
Would you recommend putting away outdoor bird feeders until the outbreak is done? Thank you, as always, for your thorough newsletter!
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?
"...crossing our fingers..."
Yikes!
Is H5N1 covered at all by current quad valent flu vax?
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.