Introduction

A change in egg prices and availability is a common scenario in grocery stores. These market shifts have primarily occurred because of an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly referred to as bird flu. This factsheet is for anyone interested in learning more about HPAI and how they can keep themselves and their families safe.  

What Causes Bird Flu?

HPAI is an avian influenza virus that has a strong capacity for infection and transmission. The virus causes respiratory effects in birds, such as wild songbirds and domestic poultry. HPAI infections in domestic birds, like chickens and geese, can be fatal, and can pass quickly from one bird to the next. This is especially true of the H5N1 HPAI virus, which is associated with extreme avian mortality rates. The virus can spread via mucus and saliva, as well as feces.  

Migratory birds can be a primary cause of HPAI outbreaks because they travel from place to place and interact with many groups of birds during their journey to their summer or winter residence. Infected wild birds may not show signs of HPAI, making them superspreaders that can pose a risk to production flocks. Government agencies, such as the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (USDA APHIS), are involved in testing and surveillance efforts of domestic and wild animals. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory (CVMDL) also provides animal testing services in the state of Connecticut.   

Why are Egg Prices Rising?

Since HPAI in domestic birds is often fatal, infected birds are a threat to the food production system. Therefore, to minimize the risk to egg-laying and meat-producing flocks, operations with birds that test positive for HPAI must undergo a depopulation process. With less birds producing eggs and meat, there are less products available for consumers to purchase. This causes an increase in the price of available eggs, and chicken. Often, this price is not dictated by the poultry producer, but rather by intermediaries in the production chain. Furthermore, depopulation of flocks means a loss in income for farmers, who already operate on narrow profit margins. These combined factors contribute significantly to the rising cost of eggs in grocery stores.  

Can Bird Flu Infect Humans and Other Animals?

HPAI has the potential to infect humans and other mammals, as observed from recent cases. These could include dairy cattle, cats, foxes, and skunks. Humans infected by HPAI may experience respiratory signs such as coughing and congestion, as well as fever, nausea, and pink eye. Eye redness is the most common sign of HPAI in people. Rates of HPAI infection among humans are low, and infection is most often caused by interactions with animals infected with the virus. Human infections can occur through direct contact with infected feces and fluids (i.e., saliva, raw milk) as well as indirect contact with surfaces where the virus is present. Although most people infected with the virus experience mild symptoms, more severe impacts are possible. 

Cats are at risk for HPAI infections when they consume wild animals (such as birds or mice) infected by the virus, or when they drink raw milk from infected dairy cattle. In addition to respiratory effects, infected cats may show signs of neurological issues. Pet birds, dogs, and other domesticated species can also contract the virus when they encounter infected materials, such as saliva and feces, or infected animals.  

Protecting People and Pets from Bird Flu

The following recommendations can help minimize the risk of contracting HPAI:  

• Stay connected to reputable sources of HPAI information, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), USDA AHPIS, the CT Department of Agriculture, and UConn Extension.  

• Always cook poultry meat (165 °F) and eggs (160 °F) to the proper temperature. Wash hands after handling raw ingredients and disinfect countertops or other surfaces and items that have been in contact with raw ingredients. Learn more about bird flu and food safety by visiting: Does Bird Flu Affect My Food? | Extension News and Publications 

• Understand the risks of consuming raw milk. The pasteurization process is effective at killing the HPAI virus. Do not allow cats or other pets to consume raw milk or meat.  

• Avoid feeding wild birds at bird feeders, especially when bird flu has been found in your area, as this will attract them to your property. Similarly, discourage pets from interacting with wildlife and eating deceased animals, including birds and small mammals like mice, by keeping them inside. 

• Practice proper hygiene when interacting with chicks, poultry, and other animals. This is especially important when visiting farms, fairs, petting zoos, and other events where animals are present. Watch children closely during animal interactions and prevent them from placing animals, dirty objects, or contaminated hands in their mouths. Everyone should wash hands after handling animals; do not put your hands in or around your eyes, nose, or mouth until you have washed your hands with soap or water for at least 20 seconds. Avoid holding poultry and other animals close to your face.  

• If you care for domestic poultry, know the signs of HPAI and report any changes in health, behavior, or egg laying to your veterinarian. Report deceased domestic birds to the CT state veterinarian and do not handle deceased birds suspected of HPAI infection without proper personal protective equipment, including gloves, eye protection, a mask, coveralls, and boot covers.  

• If you own backyard poultry or livestock, always wash your hands after caring for animals and contaminated materials such as manure. Consider implementing a biosecurity plan (Developing a Biosecurity Plan for Your Livestock or Poultry Operation | Extension News and Publications). This includes minimizing visitors to the farm, limiting interactions with wildlife, and using proper hygiene practices to reduce HPAI exposure.  

What Should I Do if I Notice Signs of Bird Flu?

If you suspect that you have been exposed to HPAI and/or are exhibiting symptoms such as respiratory distress or eye redness, contact your primary care provider immediately. Pets and other animals, such as livestock, exhibiting signs of an HPAI infection should be assessed by a veterinarian. HPAI signs in domestic poultry should be reported to the CT state veterinarian. Groups of deceased wild birds should be reported to the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (CT DEEP).   

Resources

American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.) Avian Influenza A (H5N1) in Cats. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-h5n1-cats 

American Veterinary Medical Association. (n.d.) Avian Influenza in Pets and Backyard Flocks. https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/animal-health-and-welfare/animal-health/avian-influenza/avian-influenza-companion-animals 

Center for Disease Control. (2022, May 24). Bird Flu in Animal and People: Causes and How it Spreads. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/virus-transmission/index.html  

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025, March 26). H5 Bird Flu: Current Situation. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, December 20). Signs and Symptoms of Bird Flu in People. https://www.cdc.gov/bird-flu/signs-symptoms/index.html 

Charostad, J., Rezaei Zadeh Rukerd, M., Mahmoudvand, S., Bashash, D., Hashemi, S. M. A., Nakhaie, M., & Zandi, K. (2023). A comprehensive review of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5N1: An imminent threat at doorstep. Travel Medicine and Infectious Disease, 55, 102638–102638. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tmaid.2023.102638 

Cleveland Clinic. (n.d.). Bird Flu (Avian Influenza). https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/22401-bird-flu 

Connecticut Departments of Energy and Environmental Protection, Department of Public Health, & Department of Agriculture. (2025, February). Avian Influenza Fact Sheet. https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/deep/wildlife/pdf_files/h5n1-handout-final-print.pdf?rev=5c828775ad004199a0b40518a3f4e2be&hash=E12532F7797CED95BA3B2A2BBE256E39  

Taylor, U. R., Puglisi, M., & Peracchio, H. (2024, August). UConn Extension Publication EXT075. https://doi.org/10.61899/ucext.v1.075.2024 

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (2025, March 19). Avian Influenza. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza 

United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. (2025, March 25). Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mammals. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/mammals 

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (2025, March 25). Detections of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Wild Birds. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/avian/avian-influenza/hpai-detections/wild-birds 

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (2025, March 20). H5N1 Influenza. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/h5n1-hpai 

United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. (2024, March 20). NVAP Reference Guide: Avian Influenza. https://www.aphis.usda.gov/nvap/reference-guide/poultry/ai 

United States Department of Agriculture Food Safety and Inspection Service. (n.d.). Safe Minimum Internal Temperature Chart. https://www.fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/food-safety-basics/safe-temperature-chart 

The information in this document is for educational purposes only.  The recommendations contained are based on the best available knowledge at the time of publication.  Any reference to commercial products, trade or brand names is for information only, and no endorsement or approval is intended.  UConn Extension does not guarantee or warrant the standard of any product referenced or imply approval of the product to the exclusion of others which also may be available.  The University of Connecticut, UConn Extension, College of Agriculture, Health and Natural Resources is an equal opportunity program provider and employer.