Document text
0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW October days break heat records in Medford ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... October days break heat records in Medford ... Another wolf makes its way into Southern Oregon ... Our View: Let Medford voters decide on marijuana sales ... HEALTH AND NUTRITION Scrambling for eggs Bird flu outbreak in the Midwest means higher prices, some shortages in the Rogue Valley Comment By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM --> About bird flu Current outbreak: H5N2 highly pathogenic avian influenza Risk: H5N2 is highly contagious among birds, but no human infections have been reported Birds affected... » Read more X About bird flu Current outbreak: H5N2 highly pathogenic avian influenza Risk: H5N2 is highly contagious among birds, but no human infections have been reported Birds affected: At least 16 states have had outbreaks, forcing the slaughter of more than 45 million birds. At least 35 million of those are egg-laying hens Symptoms in birds: Purplish-blue coloring of wattles and comb; ruffled feathers; soft-shelled eggs; sudden drop in egg production; loss of appetite; edema and swelling of head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks; green diarrhea; blood-tinged discharge from nostrils; pinpoint hemorrhages (most easily seen on the feet and shanks); respiratory distress; sudden death Ways to stay safe: Cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit kills bacteria and viruses. People should avoid contact with sick or dead poultry or wildlife. If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothing before coming in contact with other birds Warning to bird owners: Prevent contact between your birds and wild birds. Report sick birds or unusual bird deaths through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593. Additional information on keeping backyard flocks safe can be found at healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov — Sources: USDA, thepoultrysite.com, American Egg Board » Social News The worst outbreak of bird flu in U.S. history may pose little threat to your health, but your wallet may feel some pain. More than 35 million egg-laying hens have been killed since the outbreak began in December 2014, the American Egg Board reported in June. Even though most were from commercial farms in Midwestern states, their loss has meant higher egg prices and shortages nationwide, including in the Rogue Valley. Steve Olsrud of Sherm's Markets said prices at his grocery stores have gone up, and he doesn't see that changing overnight — or even over the course of a few months. "We have no idea what it’s going to look like, but the eggs are going to continue to be high through the end of the year," Olsrud said. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has projected that the average price of a dozen eggs, which in 2014 was $1.42, will increase anywhere from 32 to 44 cents this year because of the reduction in egg production. On Monday, a dozen large eggs at Fred Meyer cost $2.29; at Walmart, they cost $1.97. Some grocery stores, including the H-E-B chain based in Texas, have placed limits on the number of eggs consumers can buy at one time. Olsrud says he doesn't imagine his stores, which include Food 4 Less and Sherm's Thunderbird in Medford, will have to resort to such measures, but he "would never say never." Providence Medford Medical Center has been hit hard by the lower supply of egg products for its patients and staff. Karen Bartalini, director of general services at Providence, said it's a day-to-day question whether the 60 pounds of pasteurized liquid egg product the hospital needs will be available tomorrow. If not, the hospital cafeteria staff has to crack 500 eggs by hand. Bartalini said the hospital has adjusted by altering its menu and offering egg-free options. "It makes (cooking) a little bit more creative," Bartalini said. "We basically have to plan for not having them. And, in reality, some of our food products are going to go up in price or become unavailable temporarily." Grace Grueso, manager of the Medford Black Bear Diner, said her restaurant has been squeezed by the increasing cost of eggs, but the change hasn't been enough to raise menu prices. The diner relies primarily on liquid eggs but also uses whole eggs. The bird flu hasn't had much effect on birds in Oregon, though the first case of the current outbreak was discovered on a Douglas County farm. Only about 200 chickens have been lost to the virus, said Madeline Benoit, the avian health coordinator for the state. Benoit said farmers should continue to take precautions to keep infection out of their flocks, such as keeping people with birds of their own out of coops to avoid cross-contamination, and quarantining new birds from the rest of the flock for 30 days. Amy Wood, spokeswoman for Willamette Egg Farms, said its Eagle Point farm hasn't been affected by the outbreak. She expected that demand for Willamette eggs might increase as shortages worsen, but it would take months to ramp up production. "The only way to increase egg production is to quickly increase hen production," Wood said. "That’s not something that happens that quickly." Reach reporting intern Kaylee Tornay at [email protected]. By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Kaylee Tornay Mail Tribune Posted Jul. 14, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501