While human infections from bird flu remain rare, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the latest outbreak of the disease is impacting Wyoming residents in a different way: rising grocery prices during the holiday season, Cowboy State Daily reports.
Millions of chickens and turkeys have been culled to contain the spread of bird flu, with some dairy farms also quarantined. These measures, though necessary to control the outbreak, have left farmers struggling to rebuild their flocks and herds — a process that experts say could take years.
Eric Mackay, owner of Mack’s Market in Thermopolis, highlighted how the outbreak is affecting local retailers.
“We are seeing prices fluctuate dramatically as areas in the nation become further impacted,” Mackay told Cowboy State Daily.
The market’s instability stems from multiple catastrophic events, including this avian flu outbreak.
Retailers across Wyoming are facing difficulties meeting the seasonal demand for eggs, poultry, and milk. Mackay expressed concerns about potential panic buying, reminiscent of the shortages seen during the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“When factors such as scarcity, fear, and buying limits begin to impact a market, the predictability of purchases becomes nearly impossible to calculate,” he said.
Though suppliers are working to bring in birds from unaffected regions, the recovery process is neither immediate nor inexpensive. Shipping costs for transporting products over longer distances further drive up prices, which are ultimately passed on to consumers.
Even as the supply chain adapts, Mackay noted that rebuilding flocks comes with additional expenses that will continue to affect grocery prices. While he remains hopeful for market stabilization, fresh reports of bird flu spreading to previously unaffected flocks suggest that challenges could persist.
Although the economic effects are the primary concern for Wyoming residents, health risks associated with bird flu have also drawn attention nationally. On Dec. 18, the CDC confirmed a severe case of bird flu in Louisiana, while California declared a state of emergency due to rising cases.
The CDC emphasized that human infections are rare and typically occur after close, unprotected contact with infected birds or contaminated environments. Symptoms in humans range from mild, such as eye irritation and upper respiratory issues, to severe conditions like pneumonia. Person-to-person transmission is extremely rare and has not led to sustained spread among people.
