One of the root causes of egg and chicken price hikes
Johanna Harvey, assistant professor of wildlife disease
ecology, in URI’s Department of Natural Resources Science.
(URI photo)
With the advent of cases of avian flu in southern New England, and the rise in egg prices due to limited supply as a result, concerns are rising about the threat and impact of the fowl-borne illness.
Highly
pathogenic avian influenza made its way into North America, first detected in
Newfoundland, Canada, in late 2021, then spread rapidly across the continent.
Global spread has continued while the virus has maintained presence in wild
migratory birds.
Johanna Harvey, a noted wildlife disease ecologist and assistant professor in the University of Rhode Island’s department of Natural Resources Science can offer expert perspective.
An
evolutionary ecologist with a focus on immunogenetics, conservation and
management science, Harvey was a Gerstner Scholar Fellow at the American Museum
of Natural History, and comes to URI from the U.S. Geological Survey Eastern
Ecological Science Center and the University of Maryland. Her research focuses
on emergent diseases such as avian influenza and pathogens including avian
malaria parasites and vampire flies.
At URI, she is bringing a focus on immunology and the role
of wildlife disease in bird populations. The immunological and pathogenic
response mechanisms of the current H5N1 circulating avian influenza are not
understood for diverse wild bird and mammal species currently being impacted,
she says. Harvey’s research seeks to provide research and solutions to inform
disease management and improve conservation and species management for
sensitive species.
“I am motivated by my desire to understand the impacts of
disease and pressures on wildlife caused by environmental change,” she
says.
Harvey discussed the risks of avian disease in an interview.
Your research has focused on highly pathogenic avian
influenza — what does “highly pathogenic” mean?
The term highly pathogenic refers to influenza viruses which
have the potential to cause severe disease or result in death in chickens. This
term is rooted historically in the spillover of low pathogenic viruses that
commonly occur in wild birds spilling over to poultry where they mutate or
reassort to produce a highly pathogenic virus that causes high mortality.
What does it mean for the flu’s appearance in southern New England and how can residents protect themselves?
What we are seeing now is likely an upswing as the
individuals initially infected and surviving may have reduced antibodies and we
have new cohorts, young generations of birds, not yet exposed or having
antibodies. Outbreak detection has captured the wild bird mortality event in
Plymouth, Massachusetts earlier this month and now the outbreak in southern
Washington County in a non-commercial flock. We are seeing signs of increasing
virus prevalence in the landscape.
The general public can protect themselves through awareness.
Do not handle sick or dead birds or poultry, and don’t touch or consume raw
milk products.
Those at higher risk to exposure include people who work
with birds, poultry, and cows. Those with prolonged exposure through
occupational risk need to take extra precautions through the use of personal
protective equipment. The general public is not generally exposed.
Outside of the headlines, are there other bird diseases
people should be aware of or concerned about?
There are a number of threats to wild birds. Other diseases
that impact bird populations include avian botulism, cholera, and malaria, and
West Nile virus. Many of these diseases are exacerbated by habitat loss, poor
habits, poor water quality, and climate change.
Birds are also impacted by toxicants, from oil spills to
exposures to mercury, PFAS, and rodenticides. There are many threats for wild
birds that humans have the ability to reduce.
This all really emphasizes why the public should not handle
dead birds; they should be reported to your local wildlife agency for
follow-up.
How does the flu impact local birds, egg prices and local
poultry owners?
Egg prices are continuing to increase. Although it’s not my
area of expertise, poultry producers have been heavily impacted nationally.
There is less supply and now, because of this continued threat, it is a more
volatile market. That and continued price increases on feed, etc., all impact
egg prices and availability.
Is bird flu something that could lead to another
pandemic? What is the impact on public health?
This has not yet occurred, but there is potential that it
could occur. The virus requires additional adaptations to be transmissible by
humans to humans. As we see continued, increasing viral diversity, this
provides more opportunity for this to happen. We need to address mitigation
strategies to help lessen these opportunities.
Should people stop eating eggs?
No, people should not stop eating eggs. Cooked eggs are safe
to eat with proper hygiene when handling raw eggs, washing hands, utensils and
surfaces.
How does death from bird flu happen and how can it be
prevented?
The single U.S. mortality from HPAI of the current outbreak
was an older individual with existing health conditions. Existing health
conditions can result in a weakened immune system and higher susceptibility.
The individual is reported to have had contact with backyard poultry and wild
birds and thus likely handled sick or dead birds. Education is very important
in this regard. Many people have backyard poultry and if these birds come in
contact with wild birds, through droppings or shared water or environmental
overlap, there is potential for transmission.
Has this development impacted your own habits in any way
or is there anything you’d recommend to the public on the topic?
When avian influenza is present or suspected to be present,
it requires that I and those that I work with take the proper precautions such
as use of personal protective equipment.
Broadly, awareness is important. I stay on top of my yearly flu shot as this is recommended and can prime your immune system to respond to influenza viruses broadly. Education and awareness about healthy ecosystems are essential.
