Bird Flu Found in North Carolina Turkey Flock as Outbreak Worsens

WEDNESDAY, Jan. 29, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- A commercial turkey flock in North Carolina has tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu, the North Carolina Department of Agriculture confirmed Tuesday.

The affected flock is in Sampson County and is the second case in the state this year, according to WRAL-TV in Raleigh. The first was detected in Hyde County earlier this month.

"It's been kind of alarming, the number of cases we've seen across the country," Dr. Michael Martin, a veterinarian at North Carolina State University, told WRAL. "We had 28 states across the country that were involved … which is really large for this time of year."

More than 107 flocks across the country have tested positive for the virus so far this year, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

What's more, 67 cases of bird flu in humans have been confirmed in the U.S., primarily among people who had close contact with infected dairy herds and poultry. 

One person has died, however, health officials continue to assess that the risk to the general public remains low.

The USDA says there is currently no evidence that humans can get bird flu from eating poultry or eggs. But experts stress that people working around birds should take precautions, such as washing hands and changing clothes after contact.

"I'm seeing reports of this is going to be the next pandemic and everybody gets very scared, very fast," Martin told WRAL. "There is no clear clear indicator right now that this poses human threat … that could change, but right now it isn't there."

Bird flu outbreaks have contributed to rising egg prices soaring around at the country. The USDA estimates that infected flocks contribute to these rising egg prices, as the virus can reduce egg production and cause deformed shells.

Nationwide, the average price for a dozen eggs is $4.15, according to a SoFi report, and the USDA expects prices to rise another 20% this year.

Outbreaks have also affected prices for turkey, milk and chicken. The USDA has spent $1.14 billion compensating farmers for birds lost to the virus, with another $576 million spent on outbreak response efforts, according to WRAL.

Martin stated that North Carolinians won't be affected by the outbreak in Sampson County -- which is up to 1,800 birds -- but other outbreaks could begin to add up.

"1,800 birds on a breeder flock is not going to affect supply chains, but then you think about this from the last 30 days of 100-plus farms being affected across the country, those things add up," he said.

He also said it's hard to predict when the outbreak will ease. 

"We had one point in time in October 2023 during this outbreak, where we were looking back and comparing our numbers from the previous year and thought, 'Hey, we're getting out of this,' " Martin concluded. "Then Thanksgiving came and we had another spike nationally...I think we need to just wait and see."

More information

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updates on the bird flu. 

SOURCE: WRAL-TV, media report, Jan. 28, 2025, U.S. Department of Agriculture