Can you get bird flu from eating chicken and eggs? What to know

Bird flu appears to be on the rise – the US reported its first human death this week and the highly contagious virus has spread to all 50 states.

With more than 130 million birds and nearly 1,000 dairy herds affected, you may wonder if eating poultry, milk and eggs is safe. Here’s what we know about bird flu and its risk to our food.

What is bird flu?

Type A H5N1 was first discovered in 1959 after an outbreak in chickens in Scotland. The current outbreak in the US began in 2022 and intensified in March 2024 when the first infections of dairy cows were reported.

The virus mainly affects domestic poultry and wild birds. A bird that catches it can spread it to many other birds through its saliva, mucus and droppings.

Animals such as dogs, cats, foxes and leopards can get bird flu by eating the remains of an infected bird or drinking raw milk from infected cows.

Transmission from birds to humans is rare, but can occur through direct contact with infected birds or livestock or their bodily fluids.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that 66 human cases have been reported since 2024, with California, Washington and Colorado recording the most cases. People who work with birds, poultry or cows are at higher risk.

According to the Louisiana Department of Health, the Louisiana patient who died recently was exposed to sick and dead birds in a backyard flock.

There is no evidence that the virus can spread between people.

How can bird flu affect food production?

Bird flu has caused a drop in egg production, leading to shortages and rising prices.

Research shows that bird flu outbreaks tend to affect the price of eggs more than the cost of chickens and turkeys.

Over the past year, many states have restricted imports of dairy cattle from states where the virus has been detected. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) said there are only two states – California and Texas – with active outbreaks in dairy cattle.

As for milk, 28 states representing nearly 65% ​​of the nation’s milk production are enrolled in the USDA’s bird flu detection program. Almost all commercial milk in the US is pasteurized, which means it is heated to a very high temperature to kill harmful bacteria and viruses.

Can you get bird flu from eating chicken and eggs?

The CDC said there is no evidence that anyone in the U.S. has been infected with bird flu from eating properly handled and cooked poultry products.

To safely prepare meat and eggs:

• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds before and after handling raw meat and eggs.
• Separate raw meat and eggs from other foods.
• Cook poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria and viruses.
• Cook ground beef to an internal temperature of 160 degrees Fahrenheit and whole cuts of beef to 145 degrees Fahrenheit before resting for three minutes.
• Wash your cutting board, dishes, utensils, and countertops with hot, soapy water after cutting the meat.
• Refrigerate eggs at 40 degrees Fahrenheit or below to prevent bacterial growth.
• Pasteurization kills bacteria and viruses, so beware of raw milk and products made from raw milk.