AUSTIN (KXAN) — Avian influenza is as soon as once more sweeping throughout poultry farms within the U.S. and bringing the chance of disrupted holiday meals with it.
While Thanksgiving meal costs will largely be spared, Texas A&M Department of Poultry Science Professor Greg Archer stated Christmas celebrations might not be as fortunate.
“Prices are probably going to start going up with all the turkey that we’re losing,” Archer stated. “It’s possible that it’s just going to keep getting worse.”
In October, the avian flu had already killed greater than 1.4 million poultry nationwide, together with 800,000 turkeys. In November, we reached those self same numbers simply midway via the month.
Archer stated the fowl flu is unfold by wild birds, together with waterfowl, migrating south from Canada.
Those birds then work together with birds on poultry farms and unfold the virus.
“We generally see more and more as the wild birds start migrating down,” he stated.
Some farmers will attempt to safe their gaggle from exterior invaders. Once contaminated with influenza, turkeys are euthanized to attempt to cease the unfold.
Archer recommends if you wish to play it secure, purchase a turkey early and stick it within the again of your freezer.
“It’s not going to affect your meal, the quality of your turkey by just sitting in your freezer for another month or so,” he stated.
