Egg prices are soaring in the U.S., and the reason goes beyond simple inflation.
A massive outbreak of bird flu has wiped out millions of egg-laying hens, creating shortages and raising concerns far beyond grocery store shelves.
Scientists and health experts are watching closely, not just because of the economic impact but because this virus has the potential to become something much worse, writes Videnskab.
Bird flu, or H5N1, has led to the deaths of over 20 million hens in the U.S. in recent months. Many were culled to prevent further spread, while others died from the virus itself.
Gunnveig Grødeland, a professor of immunology at the University of Oslo, says efforts to contain the outbreak have not been successful.
She warns that the virus is spreading between farms, which could make the situation worse in the coming months.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that bird flu has been detected in multiple flocks since early 2025.
As a result, egg prices have jumped by more than 25% from November to mid-January.
American media, including USA Today, are predicting even higher prices if the outbreak continues.
The virus hasn’t yet evolved to spread easily between humans. But experts are concerned that could change.
Bird flu is one of the viruses with the greatest potential to cause a pandemic, according to researchers.
The scientific journal Nature has also reported that the risk of a global outbreak is increasing.
Beyond empty store shelves, the egg shortage could impact vaccine production. Many flu vaccines are made using fertilized chicken eggs.
Preben Aavitsland, a professor and director at the Norwegian Institute of Public Health, explains that the virus is grown inside eggs before being harvested and processed into vaccines.
If egg shortages continue on a global scale, it could limit the number of flu vaccines available in the event of a pandemic.
Some newer vaccines, such as mRNA vaccines, don’t rely on eggs. Grødeland points out that these alternatives could become essential in future emergency plans.
She also emphasizes the need for governments to secure agreements with vaccine producers to ensure supplies are available if needed.
For now, the general public doesn’t need to panic. The virus remains mostly confined to birds and a few mammals, such as mink and sea lions.
However, researchers warn that if it mutates to spread easily between humans, it could become a serious threat.
The situation is being closely monitored, and health authorities are preparing for potential risks.
While no one can predict exactly what will happen, experts agree on one thing: bird flu is not something to ignore.
