It has probably not taken over the media like many other diseases, but it is still threatening public health into 2025. The H5N1 subtype has been spreading among wild birds but has been found increasing in mammals, thus raising the alarm for being spilled to humans.
Bird flu remains a reality in 2025 for Whitewater in two main ways: human infections are still occurring not with a significant risk for the general population, as well as a very active outbreak driving egg prices sky-high. About 70 human cases have been reported in the US since March 2024, and one individual death was confirmed last year in Louisiana due to CDC statistics.
Even though the CDC says that the risk to the public remains low, those who deal with infected animals or people who keep backyard poultry are thought to be at higher risk. With this, awareness and preventive measures are very important for Whitewater residents.
Also important, bird flu is affecting grocery bills as well. “The impact on egg prices is noticeable at the grocery store,” commented Paige Alexander. “It’s making it harder to budget for groceries.”
These high egg prices are mainly caused by the impact of the virus on poultry farms across the nation. The infected flocks are being culled, which reduces the supply of eggs, making prices high for consumers. This is hitting families living in Whitewater.
“Our eggs are selling for around six dollars now, which is about twice what it was just two months ago,” says Aldi Manager Andrew Farrow.
Resident and student Kayla Ayres shared: “Bird flu is definitely on my radar. It’s relevant in a lot of my classes, so I’ve been learning a lot about it in the past few weeks. It’s pretty bad, I must admit. It’s something we should be more concerned about.”
The price of eggs soaring dramatically directly due to the ongoing outbreak of bird flu is dramatically affecting local households even if the threat of human infection remains low for the general public. Its impact on egg pricing has become an ever-present reminder of the bonds that tie animal health with human health and the economy. As the bird flu continues to change course, our economy will also shift with it.