Bird Flu and its Effects

The bird flu, otherwise known as the avian influenza, was first detected in Hong Kong in 1996. Since then, it has mainly just affected birds, however, different types of species have also been contracting this virus. Cows, pigs, cats, ducks, and even people have gotten this strain and has made many people fearful of purchasing eggs or drinking milk. Unfortunately, as a result of humans coming into contact with these animals, a minimum of 66 people in America have been diagnosed. While these statistics might inspire fear that another pandemic similar to COVID 19 might arise, it appears that there is a low chance of it becoming an epidemic in humans. Due to the increase of cases seen in chickens which, in turn, prevents their eggs from being sold, the price of eggs has gone up with it. Although specialists have said that while eggs or milk that have made it to the markets shouldn’t have been in touch with the bird flu, if you would like to be extra sure, you can always purchase pasteurized egg whites or milk as the process of pasteurization kills the virus. However, as long as the eggs have been cooked to around 165℉, you can be more than certain that the flu has been removed. 

Works Cited

Blum, Dani. "Are Eggs Safe to Eat as Bird Flu Spreads?" New York Times, 5 Feb. 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/well/eggs-bird-flu.html?searchResultPosition=3. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

"Emergence and Evolution of H5N1 Bird Flu." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/flu/avianflu/communication-resources/bird-flu-origin-infographic.html#:~:text=1996%2D1997%20H5N1%20bird%20flu,%2FGuangdong%2F1%2F1996. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Satyanarayana, Megha. "The US Is Not Ready for Bird Flu in Humans." Scientific American, 7 Feb. 2025, www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-us-is-not-ready-for-bird-flu-in-humans/#:~:text=The%20H5N1%20bird%20flu%20virus,This%20virus%20is%20versatile. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.