In response to the discovery of bird flu among chickens at its Texas plant, Cal-Maine Foods, the largest producer of fresh eggs in the United States, announced a temporary halt in production. The company reported that approximately 1.6 million laying hens and 337,000 pullets, accounting for about 3.6% of its total flock, were destroyed following the detection of avian influenza at the facility in Parmer County, Texas. Situated on the Texas-New Mexico border, the affected plant serves regions across the Southwestern, Southeastern, Midwestern, and mid-Atlantic areas of the United States.

Cal-Maine Foods emphasized its collaboration with federal, state, and local authorities along with industry groups to manage the situation effectively and mitigate the risk of future outbreaks. The company is working diligently to secure production from alternative facilities to minimize disruption to its customers.

While assuring consumers that eggs currently in the market pose no known bird flu risk, Cal-Maine Foods echoed the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s assurance that properly handled and cooked eggs remain safe for consumption.

The announcement follows recent reports of bird flu cases not only among poultry but also affecting humans. State health officials disclosed a case where an individual contracted the virus after contact with infected cows in Texas. This incident marked the first known instance globally of a person contracting this strain of bird flu from a mammal. Meanwhile, in Michigan, the state’s Department of Agriculture and Rural Development confirmed bird flu detection at a commercial poultry facility in Ionia County, marking the fourth such instance since 2022.Despite these developments, authorities reassure the public that the risk remains low, and measures are in place to contain the spread of the virus. Quarantines have been implemented at affected facilities, and supply chains are expected to remain intact.