Bird flu causes egg shortages, soaring prices in Western Pa.

Rising cases of avian influenza — commonly referred to as bird flu — have continued to impact egg laying flocks in the U.S. forcing egg suppliers to cut production and in turn causing shortages nationwide,

Rising cases of avian influenza — commonly referred to as bird flu — have continued to impact egg laying flocks in the U.S. forcing egg suppliers to cut production and in turn causing shortages nationwide,

By MEGAN SWIFT
TribLive

There’s been a shortage and price increase of eggs available at grocery stores nationwide, and Western Pennsylvania is not immune.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, is the culprit. It’s a virus that Dr. Lee Harrison, an infectious disease physician and professor of medicine and epidemiology at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, said is a concern.

“We’ve got some worrying things going on,” he said. “It really needs to be watched very carefully.”

There are many influenza strains, and some solely infect wild birds, or birds that migrate south, according to Dr. William Schaffner, professor of infectious diseases at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and former president of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases.

“As they fly, they occasionally … interact with flocks of domestic poultry,” he said. “They can spread the virus to them. That kind of interferes with the commercial aspects of poultry raising in the United States.”

There’s a shortage of eggs, and eggs now cost more because the bird flu has infected poultry, according to Schaffner. Flocks that are infected have to be culled, or selectively slaughtered.

As of Thursday nationwide, the virus was detected in 10,969 wild birds, and 928 dairy herds were affected, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. As of Friday, 136,327,394 poultry were affected.

Because the bird flu could mutate and gain the capacity to spread through people, Schaffner said the United States is keeping “intense watch” on the virus and making necessary preparations for a potential pandemic.

Nationwide impact

An bird flu outbreak began in January 2022 in the United States, and since then, it’s impacted wild and domestic birds in every state, the Pennsyl – vania Game Commission reported.

Most recently in Penn – sylvania, about 200 snow geese were found dead at the beginning of the month in the Allentown area.

Preliminary in-state test –

ing revealed the presence of the bird flu, the com – mission said.

The flu is particularly contagious and lethal to domestic poultry.

Egg status

Harrison said he’s heard that eggs have been spot – ty to purchase around the Pittsburgh area recently.

“Egg shortages or tight supply (are) evident pret – ty much around the coun – try at the present time,” Schaffner said, “and as a consequence, prices are increasing.” He said he’s noticed lim – ited supply where he’s lo – cated in Nashville.

Though eggs might be hard to come by, they’re not dangerous to eat if they’re pasteurized and cooked correctly, accord –

ing to Schaffner.

“There are no health ad –

visories about eggs or any pasteurized dairy prod – ucts,” he said, including milk, yogurt, sour cream, cheeses, chicken etc. “The pasteurization process kills that virus.” Giant Eagle said it’s working closely with its egg suppliers to manage the avian influenza’s im – pact on product availabili – ty across its stores – sim – ilar to other food retailers locally and nationwide.

Jannah Drexler, public relations manager, said Giant Eagle is confident that its supply channels will enable the retailer to continue providing eggs to shoppers.

“Select stores may expe – rience temporary supply issues if guest demand peaks before the store’s next egg shipment is re – ceived,” Drexler said in a statement, however.

Giant Eagle locations have been equipped with signage informing guests of the bird flu situation and if that store is being affected, according to Drexler. There is one post –

ed in the egg section of the Giant Eagle Market Dis – trict on 5550 Centre Ave.

“Due to vendor supply issues affected by the avi – an bird flu nationwide, we may be experiencing out of stock issues across various egg brands and types,” the sign reads. “We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customers.” For one dozen of Eggland’s Best Eggs in Large White, shoppers had to pay $3.49 in Feb –

ruary 2024 at Giant Eagle. As of now, the same prod – uct is $4.59.

There are a wide variety of prices for different egg brands (in large, not ex –

tra large) across grocery stores in Western Pennsyl –

vania, including:

• Aldi – between $4.75 and $6.85 for one dozen

• Giant Eagle – be –

tween $4.59 and $9.99 for one dozen

• Target – between $4.59 and $8.99 for one dozen

• Trader Joe’s – be –

tween $4.99 and $6.99 for one dozen

• Shop ‘n Save – be –

tween $4.29 and $.7.49 for one dozen