What you must know about eggs spreading bird flu.
A dietitian advises against consuming soft-boiled or runny eggs during the avian flu outbreak.
The number of bird flu cases is increasing in the United States, including the first reported death in Louisiana this week.
The impact of avian influenza (HPAI) on the supply of poultry products, including eggs, has affected the nationwide availability of these products.
The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development states that avian influenza is a highly contagious virus that can spread through contact with infected animals, equipment, and on the clothing and shoes of caretakers.
So, are the eggs in America's grocery stores safe to eat?
The FDA issued an April 2024 notice stating that the likelihood of eggs from infected poultry being present in the retail market is "low."
According to the FDA, eggs are safe to eat when stored and prepared properly.
The joint assessment by the FDA and USDA in 2010 concluded that the risk of humans getting bird flu from contaminated eggshells is low, thanks to federal inspections and flock testing.
Anna Wald, MD, the head of the Allergy and Infectious Diseases Division at the University of Washington and a professor of medicine, stated that store-bought eggs, when cooked correctly, are safe to consume.
She informed Planet Chronicle Digital that raw milk is not safe.
"Raw milk consumption from infected cows has been linked to the deaths of farm cats from avian flu. Pasteurized milk is safe."
Ilana Muhlstein, a Los Angeles-based registered dietitian nutritionist, stated that if food is cooked to the right temperature, it is safe to consume.
"She advised against consuming soft-boiled, runny, or soft-poached eggs for the next month or so until the influenza is confirmed to be contained. While this may seem slightly over-dramatic, she preferred to err on the side of caution."
The nutritionist predicted that the cost of eggs may rise due to the spread of the virus.
The CDC has updated its guidelines on food safety and bird flu, stating that consuming raw or undercooked poultry, beef, or milk can lead to illness.
According to the CDC, cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit will eliminate bacteria and viruses, including bird flu.
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The agency recommended separating raw poultry from cooked foods and thoroughly cooking all poultry and poultry products (including eggs) before consumption.
Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit will kill bacteria and viruses, including bird flu.
The CDC cautioned that although there is no proof that anyone in the US has contracted avian influenza A viruses from properly handled and cooked poultry products, there is a possibility that uncooked poultry and other poultry products (like blood) could have caused a small number of avian influenza A virus infections in people in Southeast Asia.
Planet Chronicle Digital also reached out to the USDA for comment.
Planet Chronicle Digital's Melissa Rudy contributed to this report.
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