Bird flu tied to rising poultry prices has arrived in Idaho, agriculture officials say
Two flocks of chickens in Idaho have been infected with a highly contagious avian flu that has been tied to massive bird culls in other states and rising poultry and egg prices nationwide.
The Idaho State Department of Agriculture on Friday said a flock of domestic chickens in Gooding County and another in Caribou County have multiple confirmed instances of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza virus. The illness spreads rapidly between bird species and is often fatal.
Though unlikely, it can also spread to humans and cause cold-like symptoms, including cough, fever, lethargy and aches. The virus is not foodborne when meat and eggs are prepared in accordance with U.S. Department of Agriculture guidelines.
Wild migratory birds carry the avian flu and can spread it to domestic populations. Infected birds’ symptoms include coughing and sneezing, lethargy, changes in egg production, difficulty breathing and loss of appetite.
Anyone who suspects an avian flu infection in a domestic bird population should report it to the Idaho Department of Agriculture at (208) 332-8540. Illness in wild birds can be reported to the Idaho Department of Fish and Game online at idfg.idaho.gov.
The bird flu has already been reported in numerous other states, and some commercial farms have culled tens of thousands of birds in an effort to stop the spread. As a result, experts are predicting a sharp increase in poultry and egg prices, as well as potential shortages.
This story was originally published April 15, 2022 at 11:46 AM.
