The Style of Egg Experts Say You Shouldn't Be Eating Right Now
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The National Institutes of Health reports that avian influenza A virus, or bird flu, is now widespread in wild birds all over the world. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) also states that over 18 million birds have contracted the virus in this country.
The avian influenza is a disease previously known to primarily spread between birds and poultry, not other species. However, one specific subtype of bird flu called the H5N1 virus has crossed over to infect mammals, like cows, and in limited instances, people. As of this writing on January 30, 2025, the Centers for Disease Control reports that there have been 67 reported cases of bird flu in humans in the U.S., with one death since March 2024. It’s important to know that the CDC categorizes the risk to the general public as low, however.
For people, bird flu is generally hard to get. In terms of transmission, there’s been no documented case of person-to-person contact in the U.S. (although there have been rare cases of this happening in other countries). Instead, those who got infected had direct contact with poultry or dairy cows through their work, or contact with backyard birds or wild birds. These people had either close, lengthy contact with an infected bird or contact with their bodily fluids in most situations. According to the University of Chicago, human symptoms of bird flu include pink eye, a sore throat, a fever, cough and muscle aches.
Although most of us won't contract it, the bird flu is still presenting challenges for many of us — especially in terms of some of the basic food we eat. For instance, if a flock of chickens on a farm gets infected with the bird flu, farmers have to kill all of that flock. Because of this, egg prices have almost doubled in recent weeks. This then begs the question: Can you get the bird flu from eating eggs? Here's what experts have to say.
Can you get the bird flu from eating eggs?
“The risk of getting the H5N1 bird flu virus from eggs is minimal to none, and safe storage and cooking of eggs reduces any potential risk,” says Geeta Sood, M.D., ScM, assistant professor of medicine in the Johns Hopkins Medicine Division of Infectious Diseases at Johns Hopkins University in Washington, DC.
That’s a relief. It’s also important to know that the USDA inspects every poultry and egg product plant in the country and tests flocks so the chance of bird flu being transferred to your local grocery store is really small. Still, it’s wise to take certain precautions when it comes to eating eggs.
Can you tell if an egg is infected with bird flu?
The chicken comes first — and then the egg. A recent UK study found that chickens quickly become very obviously sick after being infected with HPN1 and show symptoms like diarrhea and breathing difficulty. They also usually stop laying eggs. Any eggs they do lay look malformed: they’re too small and have soft and/or thin shells. Both sick chickens and strange-looking eggs are immediately removed from the food process. To be extra careful, if you see an egg in a carton that doesn’t look right, don’t buy it, or if it’s already in your fridge, toss it.
Are there specific kinds of eggs more likely to contain bird flu?
Yes. Unpasteurized eggs are a no-go. Pasteurization is key because it involves heating an egg to a specific temperature, which would kill any bird flu that was present. You also want to make sure the pasteurized eggs you buy are in good, safe condition. “Buy eggs that are sold from a refrigerator, and avoiding cartons with cracked eggs,” says Gregory D. Weston, M.D., MS, associate hospital epidemiologist at Montefiore Medical Center and associate professor of medicine, infectious diseases, at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY. At home, “always store eggs in a refrigerator, and consume eggs within 3 weeks and before the expiration date,” he adds.
Are all egg styles safe?
No. “Do not eat raw eggs,” says Yoshua Quinones, M.D., a board certified internist with Medical Offices of Manhattan in New York City. You also want to avoid runny eggs, so for now, skip the eggs Benedict, and make sure your scrambled eggs are extra-fluffy, not wet. “Eggs should be cooked until both the yolk and white are firm,” says Dr. Weston. “For casseroles containing eggs, the temperature should reach at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.”
How to handle eggs when cooking
“Always wash your hands after touching eggs, and wash eggs before cracking them open,” says Dr. Quinones. It’s important to use the right technique to be thorough. “Proper handwashing includes scrubbing for at least 20 seconds with hot, soapy water, including fingers and fingertips,” says Dr. Weston. “You can time this by singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song twice.”
You also want to clean up the right way by washing utensils and cooking equipment in hot, soapy water, plus any surfaces your eggs touched. According to Mayo Clinic, smart preventative steps also include:
Avoid contact with wild birds or sick birds.
Wash your hands after touching any animals or surfaces where their body fluids may have been.
Wear eye protection, a face mask and gloves if you must handle birds, or if you’re in a location where a lot of birds congregate. (You can get bird flu by breathing the virus in.)
It’s also a smart idea to avoid trips to petting zoos or farms with your kids at the moment.
While there's no need to panic, it’s always right to use common sense.
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