Bird flu cases continue to rise in the U.S., severely impacting poultry farms.

Since the outbreak began in January 2022, over 145 million chickens, ducks, turkeys, and other birds have been culled nationwide. Regarding human cases, the Centers for Disease Control reports that 67 individuals have been infected.

Tragically, one person infected with the virus passed away in Louisiana on January 6. This individual, who was over 65 years old, became ill following exposure to both a backyard flock and wild birds, as stated by the Louisiana Department of Public Health.

Egg prices have already surged and are projected to rise by approximately 20% in 2025 compared to last year, while the overall food prices are expected to increase only by about 2.2%, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

What Symptoms Are Associated with Bird Flu?

The majority of those who have contracted bird flu in the U.S. have experienced mild symptoms.

Human symptoms of H5N1 bird flu may include eye redness, fever, fatigue, coughing, muscle pain, sore throat, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, runny or stuffy nose, and difficulty breathing, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

Although the available data is limited, experts from the College of American Pathologists suggest that farmworkers may exhibit different symptoms than other infected individuals, potentially due to various virus strains or infection methods.

For instance, farmworkers might develop red eyes—common among their symptoms—after touching a contaminated cow and then rubbing their eyes. In contrast, someone who has had contact with a backyard chicken or wild bird might inhale the virus, leading to more severe illness.

Fernando Cervantes Jr. is a trending news reporter. Follow him on X @fern_cerv_.