First Alert Weather

Some Maryland schools delayed Wednesday due to extreme cold

Bird flu outbreak blamed for soaring cost of eggs as Maryland reports second case, USDA reports

H5N1 bird flu strain impacts egg supply chain, USDA reports
H5N1 bird flu strain impacts egg supply chain, USDA reports 01:51

BALTIMORE --The nationwide outbreak of the highly pathogenic H5N1 bird flu is being blamed for the soaring egg prices at grocery stores and restaurants, according to the latest USDA report.

In Maryland, the second case was recently uncovered at a poultry farm in Queen Anne's County, according to the Maryland Department of Agriculture.

In Maryland, most farms produce meat, rather than eggs, according to state veterinarian Jennifer Trout.

"What you go and buy at your grocery store is safe to eat because any bird that tested positive isn't entering the food chain," Trout said.

However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture says the recent return of bird flu is wiping out poultry populations at commercial facilities in multiple states and slowing down egg production.

"Breakfast is a pretty robust part of our business so eggs are important in that regard," said Eastport Kitchen owner Tony Moynagh.

Moynagh says that, unlike some grocery stores, he hasn't had issues with egg supply yet, but he is certainly feeling the impact of the price hike.

"Well, compared to a month ago, it's up about 80%," he said.

Moynagh would rather absorb the cost increase than pass the bird flu on to his customers. He says he's optimistic about the price coming back down eventually.

"We can't raise and lower our prices on a whim week in and week out, we have fixed prices on our menu that our customers are used to. So we just get through it," Moynagh said.

Officials have detected the bird flu at four commercial poultry farms in the Delmarva region.

What is Avian Flu?

Avian Flu is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads easily among birds through nasal and eye secretions, as well as manure, the MDA said. The virus can also spread from flock to flock, including through wild birds, contact with infected equipment, and the clothing and shoes of caretakers. 

Chickens, ducks, turkeys, geese, and other wild bird species can be infected. 

According to the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, birds infected with avian flu can show signs including:

  • Sudden death without clinical signs
  • Lack of energy and appetite
  • Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
  • Swelling of head, comb, eyelids, wattles, and hocks
  • Purple discoloration of wattles, comb, and legs
  • Nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing
  • Maryland's most recent bird flu case

    The Maryland Department of Agriculture says the state's second bird flu case was detected after a routine sampling was conducted at a poultry farm in Queen Anne's County.

    The birds on the properties are being "depopulated" to prevent the spread of the disease and will not enter the food supply, according to the AG Department.

    "It's another broiler farm and it was discovered during routine surveillance," said Maryland state veterinarian Jennifer Trout.

    First Maryland bird flu case

    The AG Department reported its first case of bird flu on January 10 at a poultry farm in Caroline County, marking the first at a Maryland commercial poultry operation since 2023. 

    The virus was detected following a routine sampling of a broiler operation.  

    View CBS News In
    CBS News App Open
    Chrome Safari Continue
    Be the first to know
    Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.