Increased egg prices displayed on a shelf at a local Target in Haddon Township. Photo by Maya DeAndrea '25.
Grocery shoppers in New Jersey and across the country face a startling egg shortage as rising prices accompany the limited supply. The primary cause of this scarcity: a widespread outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu.
Although the bird flu has been circulating among avian species for the past few years, recent months have seen its severe impact on the poultry industry. In fact, over 5 million chickens died in just 16 days in January, an alarming nod to the severity of the outbreak. According to NJ.Gov, confirmed cases of avian flu have been reported in several local counties, including Burlington, Gloucester, Mercer, Atlantic, and Cumberland.
To spot an affected animal, common observable signs of contraction include a lack of energy or coordination, purple coloring, and deformed eggs. If any of these signs are spotted, the case should be reported immediately to local animal health officers to prevent further spread of the virus.
The impact of bird flu extends beyond the poultry industry, affecting Americans nationwide who rely on eggs for daily use. Popular grocery store chains like Trader Joe’s have opted to cap egg purchases across New Jersey stores. Each customer is limited to one dozen eggs per day to help sustain supply amid high demand, according to New Jersey 101.5. Similarly, the Costco in Centerton Square has limited customers to three cartons per day.
Not only are shoppers affected by egg shortages, but as ABC Philadelphia reported, “Egg prices have more than doubled their cost since summer 2023.” This strain on availability and affordability has created challenges for individuals, restaurants, and businesses alike.
Currently, the H5N1 bird flu is considered a low risk to public health by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); however, there have been 70 reported human cases and one associated human death. Additionally, there has been no human-to-human transmission of the bird flu, meaning that the human cases stemmed from direct contact with an affected animal.
While the disease continues to spread among avian species, experts are analyzing the potential impact the virus could have on the human population. While bird flu’s presence among humans has been limited thus far, one concerning development is the contraction of the H5N1 bird flu in mammals, including livestock like cows.
The transmission of bird flu to mammals is concerning for multiple reasons. First, an outbreak among mammals could have a devastating impact on animal populations and lead to shortages of products derived from affected species, similar to the current egg supply issues. More pressing on the front of human public health concerns though, is that mammals are genetically closer to humans than birds, potentially making human transmission of bird flu easier and more alarming.
As the H5N1 bird flu spreads, both animal cases and egg prices are set to rise, making bird flu a growing concern across various sectors.