Egg producers are increasingly concerned that the battle against avian influenza might be a losing endeavor.

Across the nation, farmers are incurring steep losses as they pour millions into biosecurity strategies aimed at reviving their swiftly declining flocks — all while striving to shield humans from this deadly virus, according to reports.

“I refer to this virus as a terrorist. We are currently engaged in a fight that feels unwinnable,” said Greg Herbruck, CEO of Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch in Michigan, to the San Antonio Express-News.

Herbruck’s Poultry Ranch — one of the foremost egg producers in the United States — was initially struck by the outbreak in April.

Producers implemented a culling strategy, following the established protocols of the US Department of Agriculture, which effectively quelled the 2014-15 avian flu crisis.

However, the virus persisted, decimating his flock to the extent that 6.5 million birds were put down, either due to the virus or human intervention to prevent further spread.

Since that time, Herbruck and other poultry farmers have devoted millions to biosecurity measures, including mandatory showers before and after shifts, in a desperate bid to contain the outbreak.

Despite their endeavors, the avian flu has begun affecting additional mammals like dairy cows and, more alarmingly, humans. Since March, nearly all 67 reported cases have emerged, including the first human fatality noted last month.

“My anxiety has escalated over the past six months, already at a high level,” stated Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious diseases specialist and founding director of Boston University’s Center on Emerging Infectious Diseases.

The limited success of containment efforts has raised alarms among experts, who are increasingly skeptical that biosecurity measures will be effective against this strain of the flu, which appears to be more resilient than that of previous outbreaks.

Bhadelia advocates for the vaccination of chickens as a viable alternative, especially given the pressing need to minimize human infection risks.

Countries like China, Egypt, and France have already adopted avian vaccinations, which also mitigate infections in nearby animals, including cows.

Keep Informed on the Latest Avian Influenza Updates

The World Organization for Animal Health has encouraged countries to consider bird vaccinations in 2023. However, some experts caution that such measures might only disguise infections, complicating the management of the virus and impacting international trade significantly.

Nevertheless, with millions of birds lost and the virus spreading, the financial implications seem secondary, according to Emily Metz, president and CEO of the American Egg Board. She emphasizes the urgency of acknowledging that current biosecurity initiatives are falling short.

“We are in desperate need of every available resource,” she explained. “At present, we are facing this virus with significant limitations. A vaccine could prove to be a crucial asset in our strategy.”