Bird Flu is Now Affecting New Species: What’s the Risk for Arizona?

The price of eggs in Arizona has just about returned to normal, but that may change soon. No one wants to shell out more for groceries, however, the cost of eggs and poultry products could turn out to be the least of our concerns.

READ: Why Have Arizona Egg Prices Skyrocketed?

A new surge of bird flu, also known as H5N1 or avian influenza, is causing shockwaves of concern throughout Arizona. While birds and other animals in Arizona have not yet been affected by this recent outbreak, millions of chickens nationwide have been culled in order to keep the infection from spreading.

Even though Arizona's poultry supply is currently considered safe, the nationwide shortage will undoubtedly affect the Grand Canyon state—mostly through shortages and higher prices.

The "Bird Flu" is Affecting Other Species

One cause for concern: the avian flu outbreak is no longer contained to birds and other fowl. The pathogen has spread to other species.

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The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) has reported that the illness has now infected dairy cattle and been detected in alpacas for the first time.

READ: You'll Never Believe What's Being Smuggled Across the Border Now

The US Department of Agriculture has found the virus in livestock in five states: Idaho, Kansas, Michigan, New Mexico, and Texas. And now, the first known case of the virus infecting a human from another mammal has been reported.

The Bird Flu's Effect on Humans in Arizona

Farmers and ranchers across the United States are working with government agencies to contain the bird flu, which affects not only domestic birds and livestock but also wild birds, which can spread the virus. For the first time, the illness has been identified in birds as remote as Antarctica.

So far, three human cases have been identified in the United States. Despite that, the CDC considers the risk to humans to be low, according to a report.

The CDC states, "Based on the information available so far, this infection does not change CDC’s current human health risk assessment for the U.S. general public, which the agency considers to be low."

Arizona Grocery Prices

While this bird flu outbreak isn't considered a direct threat to public health in Arizona, we will feel the ripple effect with higher prices and shifting demand, especially through another spike in the price of eggs, chicken, turkey, and other poultry products.

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Now, with the illness spreading to dairy cattle, there will likely be a rise in the cost of milk, cheese, and other dairy products, adding additional misery to the cost of our groceries.