Bird flu reported at Cal-Maine Foods, largest egg producer in US, in Texas Panhandle

Nearly 2 million chickens were culled at a Cal-Maines Food plant, which is the largest producer of eggs in the nation, in the Texas Panhandle, after reports confirming a case of highly pathogenic avian flu in a chicken.

The killing of the chickens comes after recent reports of the first-known case of bird flu in cattle about two weeks ago and the first human infection in Texas of this strain of bird flu, reported earlier this week.

Here's what we know about the ongoing outbreak:

Confirmed bird flu case at Cal-Maines Food in Parmer County

Texas Agriculture Commissioner Sid Miller confirmed a positive test for avian flu at the Cal-Main Foods, Inc. poultry facility in Farwell.

Consequently, the company was obligated to cull 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets, which make up approximately 3.6% of the company's total flock as of its most recent report on March 2.

The facility has temporarily halted production as the company implements protocols prescribed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, according to a release.

"This is absolutely devastating news for Cal-Maine and the entire Panhandle region which has already suffered so much already," Miller said in a release. “Given this latest development, all producers must practice heightened biosecurity measures. The rapid spread of this virus means we must act quickly."

What is bird flu, or avian flu?

The most recent outbreak of avian flu, also known as bird flu, was first identified in Europe in late 2020. Although the strain has existed for several decades — first identified in waterfowl in Southern China in 1996, according to the CDC — it has escalated in recent years. Symptoms of bird flu include:

• Loss of appetite, lethargy

• Death without prior symptoms

• Eyelid swelling

• Twisting of the head and neck

• Purple discoloration to body parts, including legs

How many animals has the bird flu affected in Texas this year?

The current virus has caused the deaths of more than 82 million animals globally, making it the poultry industry's most significant blow since a previous major outbreak resulted in the deaths of over 50 million birds between 2014 and 2015.

The flu has affected 82.04 million poultry and nearly 10,000 wild birds, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Additionally, sporadic cases have been reported in mammals, including livestock such as cattle and goats, as well as skunks.

In 2024, Texas has seen outbreaks that have affected:

• 1,894,101 commercial poultry in Parmer County, reported Tuesday

• 15 noncommercial backyard poultry in Deaf Smith County, reported March 21

• 246 noncommercial backyard poultry in Moore County, reported March 11

Wild birds might have infected Texas cows

As of Wednesday, there were reportedly seven dairy herds in Texas with cases of the virus. Officials from the Agriculture Department suspect that migrating wild birds infected the cattle, because farms have reported finding dead wild birds on their properties.

There are also cases in two dairy facilities in Kansas, one facility in Michigan and one in New Mexico.

Close contact with infected cattle is likely cause for human case in Texas

The recent case marks the first human case of the highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza in Texas and the second in the U.S since the onset of this particular strain, H5N1, in 2020. Authorities at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories said last week that there is no risk of transmissibility to humans, but the Texas-based individual was reportedly in close contact with the dairy cows that tested positive for bird flu in late March.

Federal and state health authorities are currently investigating the infection. However, according to a news release, the risk to the general public remains relatively low, and human-to-human transmission is rare.

Will the bird flu outbreak affect milk or egg supply?

Currently, there is no concern regarding the safety of the commercial milk supply or the potential risk the outbreak might pose to consumer health. The USDA mandates that dairies must send only milk from healthy animals for human consumption processing. Milk from affected animals is being diverted or destroyed and does not enter the supply for human consumption.

Furthermore, pasteurization, which is a requirement for commercial milk, has a historical track record of effectively deactivating bacteria and viruses, such as Influenza.

As for egg products, it's possible that the mass culling of poultry will affect the egg supply. As is the case with dairy, there is no risk for human consumption.

"The current risk to the public remains minimal,” Miller stated in the release. "It is important for us as an industry to maintain a high level of vigilance. State and national agencies will continue to provide updated guidance as developments warrant."

This article originally appeared on Lubbock Avalanche-Journal: Bird flu found in chickens at Cal-Maine Foods plant in Texas Panhandle