A take a look at tube labelled “Bird Flu”, eggs and a chunk of paper within the colors of the U.S. nationwide flag are seen on this image illustration, January 14, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File Photo Acquire Licensing Rights
CHICAGO, Oct 6 (Reuters) – The U.S. has detected its first case of avian flu on a industrial poultry farm since April, in a flock of 47,300 turkeys in Jerauld County, South Dakota, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) stated.
Infected flocks are culled to stop the unfold of the virus, doubtlessly tightening the poultry meat and egg provide if extra instances happen.
Since 2022, 58.8 million U.S. chickens, turkeys and different birds have been worn out by the illness, formally often called extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), based on the USDA. The losses drove costs for turkey meat and eggs to report highs final 12 months, elevating prices for inflation-hit customers.
Farmers have since labored to rebuild their flocks, rising provides.
Cal-Maine Foods (CALM.O), the largest U.S. egg producer, stated this week that the typical value of typical eggs dropped 48% from final 12 months to $1.24 per dozen in 1 / 4 that ended on Sept. 2. The firm’s complete web gross sales fell 30% to $459.3 million within the quarter.
“HPAI remains to be current within the wild chook inhabitants and the extent of doable future outbreaks, notably in the course of the upcoming fall migration season, can’t be predicted,” Cal-Maine stated. Wild birds like geese transmit the virus.
Prior to this week’s outbreak, U.S. infections have been restricted to stay chook markets and “non-poultry” birds since April, USDA information present. The final industrial farms contaminated in April raised turkeys in South Dakota and North Dakota, information present.
Reporting by Tom Polansek
Editing by Bill Berkrot
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