Health Crisis: Preserving Wellness, Nourishment, and Clean Eating amidst a Bird Flu Outbreak
Bird flu, also known as avian influenza, is a contagious disease primarily affecting birds and dairy cattle. Currently, the world is grappling with the 2024 outbreak, which has caused quite a stir in the U.S. farming industry (CDC, 2025a). Although primarily a zoonotic disease, there's a slight possibility that avian influenza A viruses might spread to humans, leading to severe-to-fatal illness (CDC, 2025b). The clinical signs and symptoms of bird flu in humans, including fever, cough, and a sore throat, closely resemble those caused by other respiratory virus infections. However, bird flu can escalate into severe pneumonia and even death.
High-risk populations include farmers, poultry workers, backyard flock owners, veterinarians, wildlife facility staff, public health responders handling infected animals, and hunters and bird watchers with recreational exposure to wild birds (CDC, 2024). Dairy workers carry a higher risk as well, due to the susceptibility of dairy cows to the bird flu virus. Infected cows have reduced appetites and produce lesser amounts and lower-quality milk (CDC, 2025c).
Here's a little-known fact: folks haven't been infected by consuming contaminated eggs, poultry, or milk since there's no such risk in the U.S. (CDC, 2025b). This is because entering the food chain, contaminated birds are promptly removed. Nonetheless, it's crucial to remember that milk, poultry, and eggs can sometimes harbor bacteria and viruses that can cause sickness in people. To ensure safety, proper handling and cooking are key (CDC, 2024). Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza. Additionally, make sure to separate raw poultry from other foods to prevent cross-contamination, refrigerate eggs, cook eggs until yolks are firm, and cook foods containing eggs thoroughly (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, 2023). Ultimately, opt for unpasteurized milk, as pasteurization kills dangerous pathogens.
Now, let's chat about those nutrient-rich staples: eggs, poultry, and milk. Eggs are a magnificent source of many nutrients, including selenium, many B vitamins, vitamin A, vitamin D, and iodine (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2025). A single large egg packs about 6 grams of protein, making it an excellent source of high-quality protein for those avoiding meat. One serving (4 ounces) of chicken breast ups the ante, providing 31 grams of protein, more than half the daily recommended intake. While eggs were once shunned due to heart health concerns, most studies now suggest they don't increase the risk of heart disease (Lichtenstein, et al., 2021). Lean, unprocessed, and skinless poultry are also smart heart-healthy choices. When prepared safely, eggs and poultry offer delicious ways to boost the nutrition of any meal (Carson, et al., 2019).
Shifting gears, milk serves as a nutrient-rich beverage, offering essential vitamins and minerals, like vitamin D and calcium, both vital for good bone health (U.S. Department of Agriculture, 2025). Notably, milk is also a powerhouse of protein, offering 8 grams per cup.
In summary, while the current bird flu outbreak primarily affects birds and dairy cattle, humans who interact closely with these animals are at higher risk of contracting the virus. The risk to the general public remains low, but close adherence to proven biosecurity measures can help minimize that risk. Furthermore, proper handling and cooking of milk, poultry, and eggs can ensure food safety and enable the enjoyment of these nutrient-rich staples.
References
Carson, J. A. S., Lichtenstein, A. H., Anderson, C. A. M., Appel, L. J., Kris-Etherton, P. M., Meyer, K. A., Petersen, K., Polonsky, T., & Van Horn, L. (2019). Dietary cholesterol and cardiovascular risk: A science advisory from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 141(3), e39e53.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025a). CDC A(H5N1) bird flu response update March 19, 2025. cdc.gov/bird-flu/spotlights/h5n1-response-03192025.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025b). H5 bird flu: Current situation. cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/index.html
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2025c). H5 bird flu: Current situation in mammals. cdc.gov/bird-flu/situation-summary/mammals.html
Center for Outbreak Response Innovation. (2025). Risk Assessment HPAI A(H5) Scenario-Based Human Health Risk Assessment (pdf). publichealth.jhu.edu/sites/default/files/2025-03/CORI_RA-Narrative_HPAI_3.13.25_1.pdf
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Food safety and bird flu. cdc.gov/bird-flu/prevention/food-safety.html
Lichtenstein, A. H., Appel, L. J., Vadiveloo, M., Hu, F. B., Kris-Etherton, P. M., Rebholz, C. M., Sacks, F. M., Thorndike, A. N., Van Horn, L., & Wylie-Rosett, J. (2021). 2021 dietary guidance to improve cardiovascular health: A scientific statement from the American Heart Association. Circulation, 144(23), e472-e487.
U.S. Department of Agriculture. (2025). FoodData Central. fdc.nal.usda.gov
U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). Egg Products and Food Safety. fsis.usda.gov/food-safety/safe-food-handling-and-preparation/eggs/egg-products-and-food-safety
- Agriculture, nutrition, and health-and-wellness researchers should focus on developing strategies to reduce the transmission of avian influenza from birds to humans, particularly among high-risk populations, to ensure food safety.
- Given the nutritious benefits of eggs, poultry, and milk, science-based education initiatives must be implemented to emphasize the importance of proper handling, cooking, and storage to maintain food safety, while promoting a balanced diet rich in these staples.
- To enhance nutrition and safeguard public health, further research in the field of animal science is needed to identify effective biosecurity measures that could minimize the impact of future outbreaks of avian influenza on agricultural production and consumer health.
