Florida egg shortages worsen as bird flu disrupts poultry farms nationwide

Eggs shortages has spread across several states. In the pictured a sign in a market in Pittsburgh explains that Avian Flu is responsible for causing the shortage of eggs. Image via AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar.

By Mivette Vega

January 13, 2025

In addition, the first case of bird flu was confirmed in Puerto Rico last week.

If you’re looking for eggs at the supermarket and can’t find them, don’t blame coquito and eggnog.

Several Florida supermarkets, including Publix and Sprouts, are experiencing egg shortages due to bird flu, which has significantly impacted poultry farms across the nation.

The highly contagious virus has led to the culling of millions of birds nationwide, disrupting the supply chain and driving up egg prices.

“As a result, items in this section have limited availability. We are working to bring these products back as soon as possible,” a Publix spokesperson told 8 On Your Side, a WFLA program.

The ongoing bird flu outbreak, formally referred to as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), started in February 2022, according to the US Department of Agriculture. It is recognized for its high mortality rates and its potential to mutate and infect other species.

Earlier this week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced that an elderly resident of Louisiana became the first in the US to die from bird flu. The agency emphasized that there is no indication of human-to-human transmission of the virus.

Since the outbreak began, bird flu has been detected in nearly 1,400 flocks across the country, with cases continuing to rise. In December, the US Department of Agriculture reported that 18.2 million birds were located in poultry farms with confirmed cases of the virus, an increase of 11 million compared to the previous month.

In Florida, grocery store shelves remain sparse, with some retailers imposing purchase limits on eggs to manage the shortage. Restaurants and bakeries are also feeling the pinch, forced to adjust menus or absorb higher costs.

Adding to the regional concern, authorities in Puerto Rico confirmed the island’s first case of avian influenza on Thursday. The infected bird was identified on a small farm in Culebra, prompting immediate containment measures. Officials are working to prevent the spread of the virus and reassure consumers that the affected bird posed no risk to human health.

Five employees and three family members of the farm who were in contact with the infected birds have been identified, but so far, they show no symptoms of infection.

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Author

Mivette Vega

Mivette Vega is a seasoned journalist and multimedia reporter whose stories center the Latino community. She is passionate about justice, equality, environmental matters, and animals. She is a Salvadorrican—Salvadorian that grew up in Puerto Rico—that has lived in San Juan, Venice, Italy, and Miami.

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