In a devastating blow to the poultry industry, a widespread outbreak of avian flu has wreaked havoc on California, leading to economic losses and a surge in egg prices. The state, which had previously avoided the wave of outbreaks that affected the midwest, is now grappling with the highly contagious virus, prompting officials to declare a state of emergency.

Sonoma county, known as the "Egg Basket of the World," has been particularly hard-hit by the outbreak. Sunrise Farms, a prominent poultry company, was forced to slaughter its entire flock of 550,000 egg-laying hens as a precautionary measure to prevent the disease from spreading to other farms in the region. The loss of these hens has dealt a significant blow not only to the farm but also to the local poultry industry, leaving farmers and workers devastated.

Over the past two months, nearly a dozen commercial farms in Sonoma county alone have had to cull more than 1 million birds to control the outbreak. Merced county in Central California has also experienced outbreaks at several large commercial egg-producing farms in recent weeks. The highly pathogenic avian influenza virus, believed to be spread by migratory birds such as ducks and geese, poses a serious threat to poultry farms and backyard flocks.

To curb the spread of the disease, California poultry farms have implemented strict biosecurity measures. State veterinarian Annette Jones has urged farmers to keep their flocks indoors until June, even including organic chickens that are typically required to have outdoor access. Vigilance and precautions are necessary, as migratory bird activity is expected to continue for the next couple of months.

This outbreak has resulted in a spike in egg prices in the San Francisco Bay Area, as local supplies were significantly reduced. Supermarkets and restaurants had to seek suppliers from outside the region to meet the demand. At the peak of the outbreak in January 2023, the price of a dozen eggs more than doubled to $4.82. However, as egg producers work to rebuild their flocks and contain the outbreaks, prices have since returned to normal.

The avian flu outbreak, which began in early 2022, has led to the culling of nearly 82 million birds across 47 US states, mostly comprising egg-laying chickens. The disease's prevalence on almost every continent highlights the seriousness of the situation. Experts, including Maurice Pitesky, a poultry expert at the University of California, Davis, emphasize that climate change plays a role in increasing the risk of outbreaks, as changing weather patterns disrupt the migratory patterns of wild birds.

In California alone, the outbreak has impacted over 7 million chickens in both commercial and backyard flocks. Concerns have arisen regarding backyard chickens becoming infected and spreading avian flu to commercial farms. Owners of backyard chickens are advised to follow strict hygiene measures, including wearing clean clothes and shoes and getting their flock tested if a significant number of chickens die.

For Mike Weber, the owner of Sunrise Farms, the outbreak has been heart-wrenching. Despite implementing strict biosecurity measures, his company was unable to protect its flock from the virus. Weber and his employees have been working tirelessly to clean and disinfect the hen houses, with the hope of receiving approval to bring chicks back to the farm this spring. However, it will still take several months for the new flock to mature and begin laying eggs again.

The avian flu outbreak has not only caused immense financial losses but also threatens the livelihoods of farmers and workers in the California poultry industry. The battle against the virus continues, with industry officials and researchers emphasizing the need for continued vigilance and biosecurity measures to protect both commercial and backyard flocks.