Local health experts break down what you need to know about the Bird Flu

Yahoo

08-02-2025

AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Over the past few weeks, grocery shoppers have seen the price of eggs continue to skyrocket.
That's because of a shortage due to a type of viral infection called the Bird Flu.
The disease has been in recent headlines, but local health experts say it's not a new disease.
It's a viral infection that doctors call a 'cousin' of the influenza virus, which can impact both animals and humans.
We spoke to Dr. Jose Vazquez, Chief of Infectious Diseases at Wellstar MCG Health.
'It was actually discovered back in 1997 in China, but we didn't see any bird flu in the U.S. until 2000 or 2002 when we started seeing it in chickens,' said Vazquez. 'That's where it started, but over the last few years we've started to see an increase in avian influenza. Due to the vast spread of infection, that's lead to these birds being killed. Chickens fall in that category—less chickens means less eggs, less eggs have led to this shortage, and the shortage is what's causing the high egg prices.'
The disease has also caught the attention of the Georgia Department of Agriculture.
'This is a really serious threat to our ag industry here in Georgia. It's a significant threat, and it's something that we take very seriously here at the Department of Agriculture,' said Matthew Agvent.
The department says more than 153 million birds have been impacted by the disease across the country since the outbreak started in 2022.
Here in the Peach State, the GDA has been working diligently to limit the spread.
'Only approximately 205,000 of that 153 million have been in the state of Georgia–the nation's leading poultry producer. So, I think that really speaks to the advocacy of the work that our animal health professionals here at the department and across the state are doing in conjunction with our poultry producers,' Agvent said.
As far as human health, The CDC reports the virus has infected 66 people so far, with one case out of Louisiana turning deadly last month.
Vazquez says the Bird Flu could be easier to catch than you might think.
'For instance, some people have what's called a backyard flock. A lot of folks have chickens in their backyards for eggs and whatever, but if they get it they can actually become infected with it,' Vazquez said. 'More often than not, it's a very mild case of the flu. Meaning upper respiratory tract infections, maybe some cough, fever, joint aches and pains, inflammation of the eyes called conjunctivitis. But it's a very mild case.'
Vazquez says the only confirmed cases so far are workers at poultry farms and cattle ranches.
While he calls the bird flu a mild illness, he says you should be cautious of certain animals in certain areas.
'If you have backyard flocks, and you have animals that are dying, the first thing they should do is call the health department to see what should be done. Number 2, handle those with care. If you have an N-95, use that. Wear gloves, and get rid of them—but hold them to see if the department of health or whoever is looking at them here would want to take a look at them,' said Vazquez.
While there have not been any reported human cases in Georgia or South Carolina, Agvent says they have responded to 6 detections of bird flu in animals since 2022.
'Three of those have been in backyard poultry flocks. Back in 2023, we also had a case in a commercial raise-for-release duck operation. This year, we've had two detections in a commercial poultry flock in Elbert County,' said Agvent. 'These were our first cases in commercial poultry, we treat those differently than we would for a backyard flock.'
Agvent clarifies that those two cases were not egg-laying birds, and are not contributing to the high egg prices in stores.
'Those operations were broilers—those are meat birds, so these two cases are not causing these egg prices to skyrocket. What's causing egg prices to go up is the fact that this is a nationwide issue, and unfortunately it's impacting Georgia consumers,' said Agvent.
Since October 2024, close to 35 million egg-laying birds have been killed across the country to prevent the spread of HPAI.
'That's approximately 10% of all egg-laying birds in the U.S., so you're talking about a fairly significant reduction in egg supply. That's really what's been driving increased prices at the grocery store, and that's going to continue being top of mind for consumers as long as it's impacting their kitchen table,' Agvent said.
The CDC has guidelines and recommendations about what you can do to protect yourself from HPAI, or the Bird Flu.
For more information, click here.
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