Avian Influenza A (H5N1), more commonly known as “bird flu,” has begun to spread nationwide, causing much distress and worry. But what exactly is it?

The H5N1 strain of bird flu first appeared in 1996 in geese in China, then in humans in Hong Kong shortly after, according to Yale Medicine. In 2020, nearly 25 years after the first recorded case of H5N1, the virus reemerged in wild birds across Europe. By late 2021, it had reached North America, with the CDC reporting the first sporadic cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 infections in mammals across several U.S. states and Canadian provinces.

In 2022, Colorado saw the United States’ first human case of HPAI H5—this individual experienced mild symptoms after being exposed to poultry. As of February 2025, the Philadelphia Department of Public Health reports that 70 people have tested positive for bird flu in the US. Only one case has been lethal, and it was that of a Louisiana chicken owner that died after infection.

Bird flu has been affecting a myriad of animals, including birds, cattle, chickens, pigs, and even cats, thus putting farm workers at a higher risk. Unfortunately, these animals serve as a primary source of produce, meaning products such as eggs and dairy risk contamination.

“Last year, bird flu killed more than 40 million egg-laying birds,” writes CBS News. With the decreased supply of eggs, which has consequently increased the demand, and the current economic instability in the US, the increase in egg prices comes as no surprise. However, some people have avoided the extra cost by avoiding eggs entirely due to fear of contamination, but eggs can still be safe to eat if they are properly cooked or pasteurized.

According to the US Department of Agriculture (USDA), the New York State market saw the wholesale price of large cartoned eggs increase throughout the month of February, and it is estimated that this increase will continue. In fact, eggs in urban areas are averaged at around $4.95, a 53% increase from the previous year. Moreover, the export volume of eggs and egg products has declined 16% due to the decreased availability, and Canada remains the US’s primary export market.

The Trump Administration has hopes of combatting this crisis. CNN reports that US Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins claims a plan to invest $1 billion to help reduce egg prices, which will help with the multitude of issues that have arisen as a result of the bird flu; this initiative includes $500 million to biosecurity, $400 million for financial assistance to farmers, and $100 million for vaccine research. Temporary import options are also being explored—420 million eggs are set to be sent in from Turkey, for instance.

Luckily, Greeley has not been affected by the bird flu. “The budget hasn’t changed, as we buy in bulk from a particular supplier, so we have been fortunate enough to be able to avoid the crisis,” says Mike Williams, a cafeteria worker at Greeley. “In my personal life, of course I’ve seen an impact and it’s less than ideal, but as for the school we have been okay.”

There is much hope that the nation will be able to tackle the rising egg prices and take on bird flu, but given the state of things, thwarting this issue will take time.