Bird Flu Costs Pile Up as Outbreak Enters 2nd Year

Bird Flu Costs Pile Up as Outbreak Enters 2nd Year
Red Star chickens feed in their coop at Historic Wagner Farm in Glenview, Ill., on Jan. 10, 2023. Erin Hooley/AP Photo
The Associated Press
Updated:
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OMAHA, Neb.—The ongoing bird flu outbreak has cost the government roughly $661 million and added to consumers’ pain at the grocery store after more than 58 million birds were slaughtered to limit the spread of the virus.

In addition to the cost of the government response that the USDA tallied up and rising prices for eggs, chicken and turkey, farmers who raise those animals have easily lost more than $1 billion, said an agricultural economist, though no one has calculated the total cost to the industry yet.