Bird flu epidemic hits poultry industry hard, destroys California farms

Petaluma, California— Last month, Mike Webber received the news every poultry farmer fears: His chickens tested positive Avian Influenza.

comply with government regulations, Weber’s company, Sunrise Farms, had to cull its entire layer flock, which included 550,000 chickensto prevent the spread of diseases to other chicken houses Northern Sonoma County san francisco.

“It’s painful. We’re all sad about it,” Weber said, standing in the empty chicken coop.

“Petaluma is known as the Egg Basket of the World. It was shocking to see that basket of eggs engulfed in flames.“He added.

A year after bird flu drove egg prices to record highs and caused widespread shortages Disease caused by highly pathogenic avian influenza virus sparks chaos in Californiawhich escaped the first wave of the outbreak that devastated poultry farms in the U.S. Midwest.

The highly contagious virus has devastated Sonoma County, where authorities have declared a state of emergency. Nearly a dozen commercial farms have had to cull more than a million poultry over the past two months to contain the outbreak.which has dealt a serious economic blow to farmers, workers and customers.

Merced County, located in CaliforniaSeveral commercial egg production farms have also been hit hard by outbreaks in recent weeks.

Experts said, Ducks, geese and other migratory birds spread avian influenza. Waterfowl can carry the virus without getting sick and can spread it easily through feces on chicken and turkey farms, as well as between poultry through feces and nasal secretions.

California poultry farms implement strict biosecurity measures to slow spread of disease. California veterinarian Annette Jones urged farmers to keep poultry indoors until June, including organic chickens that need access to the outdoors.

“The migration season will last another two months. Therefore, we must remain as vigilant as possible to protect our birds.” said Bill Mattos, president of the association. California Poultry Federation

.

In the December season, Loss of local chickens sends Bay Area egg prices soaringuntil supermarkets and restaurants find out-of-region suppliers.

Although avian influenza has been with us for decades, The current virus outbreak, which began in early 2022, has led authorities to cull nearly 82 million poultryAccording to the USDA, they are mainly laying hens and are found in 47 states in the United States. Wherever the virus is found, all birds are culled to help limit its spread.

The price of a dozen eggs more than doubled, peaking at $4.82 in January 2023. Product prices return to normal range as egg producers restore flocks and contain outbreaks. Turkey and chicken prices have also increased, in part due to the virus.

“I think this is an existential issue for the commercial poultry industry. Currently, this virus has been found on every continent except Australia,” said Maurice Pitesky, a bird expert at the University of California, Davis. . “

Pietsky said climate change increases the risk of outbreaks because changing weather patterns disrupt the migration patterns of wild birds. For example, Last year’s unusual rainfall created new waterfowl habitat across California

including areas near poultry farms.

In California, outbreaks have affected more than 7 million chickens in approximately 40 commercial flocks and 24 domestic flocks; most outbreaks occurred in the last two months north coast and central valleyaccording to U.S. Department of Agriculture.