03-03-2025
US tackles bird flu: See outbreak's impact on animals, farm and vaccines
US tackles bird flu: See outbreak's impact on animals, farm and vaccines
Dawn O'Connell, Assistant Secretary for Preparedness and Response within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, gets a look at the syringe filler during a tour of bird flu vaccine manufacturer CSL Seqirus in Holly Springs, N.C., in 2024. Alex Boerner, USA TODAY Network
Ravens and a gull feed on the carcass of a Canada goose on Oldham Pond in Pembroke, Mass., Jan. 29, 2025. Across the South Shore bird flu is killing waterfowl on ponds. Many of the dead birds are being eaten by raptors or scavengers. Greg Derr, The Patriot Ledger Via USA TODAY Network
A pod of dolphins feeds in the Haulover Canal in Titusville, Fla., Jan. 6, 2025. Scientists have confirmed the bird flu virus in three dead dolphins. Craig Bailey, Florida Today Via USA TODAY Network
Broox Daniel demonstrates how to swab the throat of a chicken to test for avian flu on her daughter's buff brahma chicken named Flash at their EB Daniel Farm in Olalla, Wash., Jan. 8, 2025. Meegan M. Reid, Kitsap Sun Via USA TODAY Network
Filled vaccines are inspected using a Brevetti inspection system at the CSL Seqirus vaccine manufacturing facility in Holly Springs, N.C., in 2024. Alex Boerner, USA TODAY Network
A demonstration of the shoe wash and disinfecting bath used before staffers enter the zoo's vet hospital holding area where some birds are settled. With bird flu hitting the U.S., the zoo has implemented many precautions to keep its animals and workers safe. Kris Craig, The Providence Journa Via USA TODAY Network
The remains of a Canada goose after it was eaten by a predator on Hobart Pond in Whitman, Mass. Across the South Shore bird flu is killing waterfowl on ponds. Many of the dead birds are being eaten by raptors or scavengers on Jan. 29, 2025. Greg Derr, The Patriot Ledger Via USA TODAY Network
Chatham Animal Control Officer Diane Byers picks up a dead sea duck on Scatteree Landing in Chatham, Mass., Feb. 5, 2025. Area officials were responding to concerns about the H5N1 avian flu that has caused death in birds. Merrily Cassidy, Cape Cod Times Via USA TODAY Network
A dead Red-breasted Merganser sits on the shore of 31st Street Beach after dead birds began washing ashore on Lake Michigan, prompting a warning from health authorities ahead of tests for bird flu, in Chicago, Ill., Feb. 5, 2025. Vincent Alban, Reuters
A sign for customers shopping for eggs at Trader Joe's hangs by cartons of eggs in Merrick, N.Y., Feb. 10, 2025. Shannon Stapleton, Reuters
HDC receiving staff prep arriving milk samples for testing at the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University on Dec. 10, 2024 in Ithaca, N.Y. The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week issued a federal order that requires the testing of the nation's milk supply amid increasing concerns over HPAI (a strain of the H5N1 avian flu), which has been raising alarm since it was first detected in a Texas cow. In July 2024, New York lawmakers gave $19.5 million in order to expand the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University, after avian flu was confirmed to be spreading to dairy cattle. The virus has spread to over 710 dairy herds across 15 states. Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images
Cows from a non-suspect herd are milked at the Cornell Teaching Dairy Barn at Cornell University on Dec. 11, 2024 in Ithaca, N.Y.. The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week issued a federal order that requires the testing of the nation's milk supply amid increasing concerns over H5N1 (avian flu), which has been raising alarm since it was first detected in a Texas cow. In July 2024, New York lawmakers gave $19.5 million in order to expand the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University, after avian flu was confirmed to be spreading to dairy cattle. The virus has spread to over 710 dairy herds across 15 states. Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images
ITHACA, NEW YORK - DECEMBER 11: A sample of milk is taken from a cow from a non-suspect herd to be tested at the Cornell Teaching Dairy Barn at Cornell University on December 11, 2024 in Ithaca, New York. The U.S. Department of Agriculture last week issued a federal order that requires the testing of the nation's milk supply amid increasing concerns over H5N1 (avian flu), which has been raising alarm since it was first detected in a Texas cow. In July 2024, New York lawmakers gave $19.5 million in order to expand the Animal Health Diagnostic Center at Cornell University, after avian flu was confirmed to be spreading to dairy cattle. The virus has spread to over 710 dairy herds across 15 states. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Michael M. Santiago, Getty Images
Chickens are transported on a semi-truck trailer along Highway 99 near Fresno, Calif., on Feb. 12, 2025. A resurgence of avian flu, which first struck the United States in 2022, is hitting chicken farms hard, sending egg prices soaring and rattling consumers accustomed to buying this dietary staple for only a few dollars. Patrick T. Fallon, AFP Via Getty Images
Empty shelves of eggs are seen in a supermarket in the Manhattan borough of New York City on Feb. 20, 2025. The recent U.S. outbreak of bird flu since early 2024 is exacting a heavy toll on poultry farms. More than 21 million egg-laying hens have been "depopulated" this year so far, after 13.2 million were culled in December, according to the US Department of Agriculture. CHARLY TRIBALLEAU, AFP Via Getty Images
Chickens stand in a henhouse at Sunrise Farms on Feb. 18, 2025 in Petaluma, Calif. As egg prices continue to skyrocket due to the avian flu outbreak, egg farmers are having to invest millions of dollars in biosecurity efforts to keep their flocks safe. Fourth-generation egg farm Sunrise Farms in Petaluma lost 550,000 chickens to avian flu in December of 2023, marking the first time in 112 years that the main family farm had no chickens. It took Sunrise Farms over a year to rebuild their flock to 900,000 chickens that produce nearly 500,000 eggs a week. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Mike Weber, co-owner of Sunrise Farms, holds a chicken inside a henhouse at his farm on February 18, 2025 in Petaluma, Calif. As egg prices continue to skyrocket due to the avian flu outbreak, egg farmers are having to invest millions of dollars in biosecurity efforts to keep their flocks safe. Fourth-generation egg farm Sunrise Farms in Petaluma lost 550,000 chickens to avian flu in December of 2023, marking the first time in 112 years that the main family farm had no chickens. It took Sunrise Farms over a year to rebuild their flock to 900,000 chickens that produce nearly 500,000 eggs a week. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Defective eggs are discarded from an egg washer at Sunrise Farms on Feb. 18, 2025 in Petaluma, Calif. As egg prices continue to skyrocket due to the avian flu outbreak, egg farmers are having to invest millions of dollars in biosecurity efforts to keep their flocks safe. Fourth-generation egg farm Sunrise Farms in Petaluma, California lost 550,000 chickens to avian flu in December of 2023, marking the first time in 112 years that the main family farm had no chickens. It took Sunrise Farms over a year to rebuild their flock to 900,000 chickens that produce nearly 500,000 eggs a week. Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
Eggs are displayed for sale on the street in Chinatown on Feb. 25, 2025 in New York City. The wholesale price for a dozen eggs in U.S. cities hit $4.95 last month. That is more than 50% higher than this time last year and is beginning to affect household budgets. Spencer Platt, Getty Images
