Parmer County, Texas – Cal-Maine Foods, the largest producer of eggs in the United States, has culled nearly 2 million chickens after highly pathogenic avian influenza (“HPAI”) was discovered in the flock.
In a press release, the company said that approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets (young hens) had to be killed after HPAI was found at the Parmer, Texas, facility. The company said:
Production at the facility has temporarily ceased as the Company follows the protocols prescribed by the USDA. Cal-Maine Foods is working to secure production from other facilities to minimize disruption to its customers.
People who might be concerned about contracting HPAI can rest easy. The company states:
According to the USDA, HPAI cannot be transmitted through safely handled and properly cooked eggs. There is no known risk related to HPAI associated with eggs that are currently in the market and no eggs have been recalled.
One may wonder why the chickens were killed if the illness cannot be transmitted to humans who consume the eggs. Culling chickens during an avian flu outbreak is primarily done to prevent the spread of the virus and to control the outbreak. Avian flu viruses can spread rapidly among birds, especially in densely populated poultry farms. By culling infected birds and those in close proximity to them, authorities aim to contain the spread of the virus and prevent further transmission within the poultry population.
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