Summary
Bird flu cases are rising in the United States, affecting several states. This increase in bird flu could influence grocery prices, especially for eggs, during the holiday season. While there may be some impact on egg prices, it's unlikely to affect Thanksgiving turkey costs.
Key Facts
- Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is spreading again in the U.S., impacting states like California, Minnesota, and Michigan.
- The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports this as a usual pattern related to wild bird migrations.
- 0.06 million birds were affected in August, rising to 3.95 million by October.
- Increased cases could lead to higher egg prices but are less likely to affect turkey prices for Thanksgiving.
- The ongoing federal government shutdown may slightly hinder bird flu monitoring efforts.
- Turkeys for Thanksgiving have already been harvested and are stored, reducing the impact on holiday costs.
- USDA monitoring programs are important for tracking the spread of bird flu.
- Experts note that bird population and supply changes could affect future turkey product availability.
