Eggs, that infamously inexpensive product, have skyrocketed in price in the US. A dozen eggs cost an average of $4.25 in American cities in December, up from $1.78 a year earlier. Even though it appears that the worst is now behind us, it will be some time before consumer prices return to normal levels, and Americans are already showing signs of stress.

The query was simple: “Why are eggs so expensive, and WTF do I cook instead?”

Increasing egg costs is a well-known example of inflation from the pandemic era. According to Jada Thompson, an agricultural economist at the University of Arkansas, the cost of producing eggs has increased as a result of increased prices for gasoline, transportation, feed, and packaging.

Additionally, the lack of excellent egg replacements does not help. But the avian flu, a virus that affects several species of birds and can be fatal for others, is a significant factor in the current price spike. The worst wave the United States has ever seen is currently wreaking havoc on chicken flocks and the country’s egg supply.

More than 57 million birds have died from the flu in the past year alone. Don’t break out the champagne just yet; some much-needed respite from sky-high egg costs is probably on the way. yet for soufflé pans. All indications point to avian flu’s continued existence. According to Thompson, “these expenses are not going to drop down to pre-2022 levels” if the virus’s rabid expansion persists. Cheap eggs might soon disappear from the market.

However, this outbreak is unlike anything we have ever seen. This outbreak is really caused by a brand-new strain of avian flu that has been circulating in the United States for a full year—much longer than it did during the previous major outbreak.

According to Richard Webby, the director of the World Health Organization Collaborating Center for Studies on the Ecology of Influenza in Animals and Birds, the virus has become “host-adapted,” which means it can infect its natural hosts without killing them. As a result, wild waterfowl are ruthlessly effective at spreading the virus to chickens.
Since many of these wild birds migrate long distances between Canada and South America, they often land in streams and spread disease to nearby poultry farms

The fleshy flaps on chickens’ heads may turn blue, their eyes and necks may expand, and, in very rare cases, chickens may become paralysed. In just 48 hours, an entire flock of chickens can be destroyed. Death comes quickly and brutally.

This wave’s characteristics are perfect for depleting our supply of eggs. The majority of eggs in the United States are laid in densely populated industrial egg farms, where it is virtually impossible to stop the spread of the disease. As a result, when the flu is discovered, the industry’s favoured response is to “depopulate,” or kill all the birds. Bryan Richards, the emerging-disease coordinator at the U.S. Geological Survey, said the current wave would be far worse without such a ruthless strategy.

However, it might be worthwhile to reconsider our connection with eggs in the future. There is no assurance that eggs will once again rank among the least expensive and healthiest foods. The birds will reappear as the weather warms, and “it’s highly likely that during spring migration,