One of the largest egg farms in America has been shut down due to a bird flu outbreak, according to reports.
Iowa agriculture officials warned that Thanksgiving shortages should be expected after the outbreak of avian influenza was detected at a large commercial egg-laying farm on Monday.
The outbreak is the first infection since April but will wreak havoc on the US poultry industry.
The state Agriculture Department said the commercial farm with 1.1 million chickens is located in Wright County, central Iowa.
All chickens at the facility were culled and disposed of to avoid spreading the disease.
Iowa has been hit hard by bird losses this year, with more than 13 million killed.
On a national level, 47.7 million birds have been affected in 43 states.
Bird flu continues “to be a significant threat across the country,” Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig told The Des Moines Register.
He added:
“We have been preparing for the possibility of additional outbreaks,” working closely with producers and the US Department of Agriculture.
“With migration ongoing, we continue to emphasize the need for strict biosecurity on poultry farms and around backyard flocks to help prevent and limit the spread of this destructive virus.”Â
The culling of tens of millions of birds has dented national egg supplies, sending prices sky-high and above 2015 outbreak levels (last major bird flu) to about $3 per dozen at the supermarket.
Retail egg prices have doubled since August 2020, straining consumers’ wallets as breakfast inflation soars.
What used to be a cheap source of protein in the morning has become expensive.
Besides eggs, turkeys have also been impacted by bird flu.
The outbreaks are sending prices to record highs ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.
