The ongoing bird flu outbreak is impacting the Thanksgiving table by increasing egg prices and decreasing turkey populations to the lowest levels in decades. Over 90 million poultry have been affected by avian influenza in the US, driving up poultry meat prices. In California, egg prices have nearly doubled due to increased infections from wild birds.
New Mexico has not detected avian flu in dairy herds since August, but neighboring states have recorded hundreds of cases. Infections have also been reported in humans, with 55 cases nationwide. The CDC stated that person-to-person transmission of avian flu is not occurring, but those in contact with poultry are at higher risk.
Experts warn that the lack of active surveillance programs in the US makes it difficult to track the spread of the disease. Additionally, New Mexico officials are not planning to test wastewater for avian flu, despite calls for increased testing from independent public health experts. It is important for dairy workers to get vaccinated against the seasonal flu to reduce their risk of infection from other strains.
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