Eggs have been a staple on our kitchen tables from breakfast to dessert, but the recent highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has killed nearly 12.67 million birds across the country, meaning the once-kitchen staple is becoming a luxury. If people do decide to get eggs, what and how should they be eaten?
Can you get bird flu from eating eggs?
Luckily, the transmission from eating eggs is very minimal. While human-to-human transmission is a thing it has not been reported. Most people contracting this flu are people working in the dairy or poultry industry or have their own backyard chicken coops which are exposed to wild birds.
If I have my own chickens, does it mean they’re safe?
While having your own chickens means you have a good, steady supply of way cheaper eggs, it doesn’t mean your chickens are out of danger’s way. Backyard flocks have reported the avian flu and owners have contracted the virus as well. To make sure your flock is safe, keep an eye out for symptoms of the virus — purple discoloration, swollen body, misshapen eggs, runny nose, loss of appetite, or sudden death. To keep your flock from contracting the virus by limiting contact with carriers like wild birds, make sure their water and food are kept in a gated, secure location that’s only accessible to your flock and only them. Saliva and bird waste are ways the virus can spread, so make sure to wear a mask and wear gloves while dealing with day-to-day upkeep.
How can you tell an egg is from a sick chicken?
Eggs laid by infected chickens are easy to visually detect. The egg size is significantly smaller than the average egg. It’ll also be misshapen or have a very thin shell. Most of these eggs are detected early on in the processing plants, but if you come across that sort of egg, it needs to be immediately tossed.
Are there certain types of eggs that contain bird flu more than others?
Yes. Unpasteurized eggs should be avoided. During this avian flu problem throughout recent years, one of the major things keeping the public safe from the virus has been pasteurization. The process, which requires the eggs to be heated to a specific temperature for a set period of time, kills off the pathogens that were present in the eggs.
Is there a special way to store the eggs?
Like with all eggs in the US, eggs need to be refrigerated and eaten before their expiration date. If eggs are cracked, then they need to be discarded.
How should eggs be cooked on the stovetop?
Yes, with the avian flu, certain types of cooking preparation should be avoided. Eating raw, poached, or soft-boiled eggs isn’t recommended, so no brunch time eggs Benedict. Cook scrambled eggs until they are fluffy and not wet. Essentially, you want to make sure that both the white and yolk are firm.
How should eggs be baked?
If you put eggs into a dessert or a casserole, the internal temperature of the baked goods needs to reach 165°F.