If you have not seen the signs at the H-E-B stores or been to a Whataburger lately you may not be aware that there is an egg rationing in effect.

Since December 19, 2014, when the first detection of Avian Flu was reported to the USDA-APHIS, just over 47 million birds have been affected across the US; most of these have occurred since April 1, 2015.  Several cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) H5 have been found in wild birds as well as backyard and commercial poultry flocks.

Avian Flu comes in two strains.  One is low pathogenic (LPAI) and the other is highly pathogenic (HPAI). HPAI can strike quickly and spread rapidly without warning.  When infected birds do show signs, here is what to look for:  lack of energy; lack of appetite; decreased egg production and/or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs; swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles and hocks; purple discoloration of the wattles, combs and legs; runny nose, coughing, sneezing, stumbling or falling down; diarrhea; sudden death without any clinical signs.  Seek professional help if you notice any of the above signs.

For those of you with poultry, there are six things to keep in mind to help protect your birds and your neighbor’s birds:   1) Keep your distance and restrict access to your property and birds.  2) Wash your hands thoroughly before and after working with your birds, wear clean clothes and scrub your shoes with disinfectant.  3) Buy birds from reputable sources and separate from the rest of your flock for at least 30 days.  4) Do not share equipment with neighbors; this includes garden equipment, poultry supplies, etc.  If you must share, disinfect items.  5) Keep alert, as early detection is pivotal to helping prevent the spread of the disease.  6) Report sick birds; call your local extension office, your veterinarian, or the State Veterinarian or State animal/poultry diagnostic laboratory.

While this is currently devastating to the poultry industry the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to people from the HPAI H5 infections to be low.  No human cases of these HPAI H5 viruses have been detected in the US, Canada or internationally.  HPAI has been detected and eradicated by the USDA three previous times:  in 1224, 1983 and in 2004.  That said we’ll be paying an extra price for eggs at the supermarket and for items made with eggs in the near future.

For more information on this article please contact Chelsea Dorward at the Bosque County Extension Office at 254-435-2331. Information for this article was found on USDA-APHIS website.