KY confirms bird flu case. Does it pose a risk to humans? Will egg prices go up?

Kentucky Department of Agriculture officials have quarantined and euthanized a backyard poultry flock in Jessamine County after a bird tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza.

Commonly referred to as bird flu, the deadly illness spreads fast among both domestic and wild species. The detection, the first in non-wild species since 2022, was announced by state and federal officials Monday. It is unclear how many birds were in the flock.

There is no food safety risk, officials said, and products from the affected bird will not enter food supply. Here’s what you need to know about bird flu, the risk it poses to humans and what a detection means for consumers, backyard poultry owners and more.

Does bird flu pose a risk to humans?

Not a great risk. While humans who come in contact with affected birds can catch H5 bird flu, there is relatively low risk, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Since 2024, the U.S. has recorded just two human deaths from avian flu.

“Humans can get bird flu if they come in contact with an infected animal’s body fluid, like spit (saliva), milk, respiratory droplets or poop (feces),” the Cleveland Clinic reports. “You can breathe it in from small dust particles in animal habitats or get it into your eyes, nose or mouth after touching body fluids.”

While low-risk for humans, bird flu symptoms include:

• Pink eye (conjunctivitis)
• Fever
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Stuffy or runny nose
• Shortness of breath (dyspnea)

Is it safe to eat eggs and chicken meat after bird flu has been detected in my area?

Yes, there is no risk to the food supply or food safety risk, the KDA said. Both eggs and meat are safe to eat when handled and cooked properly to an internal temperature of 165 Fahrenheit.

Any products from the affected flock will not enter the market, the agency said.

You can also not get bird flu from drinking or consuming pasteurized milk, the Cleveland Clinic says.

Will bird flu mean increased egg prices at the grocery store?

A widespread outbreak among commercial operations could affect egg and meat prices, and the CDC monitors for cases.

As of the latest nationwide reporting Monday, 71 cases have been reported across the country, including one each in nearby Missouri and Ohio. The case confirmed this week in Kentucky was not reflected in the latest CDC reporting.

During the 2022 outbreak, KDA director of public affairs Sean Southard told the Herald-Leader stopping the spread of bird flu was “critical” to making sure there are no related consumer shortages or price increases.

The U.S. is the largest poultry producer in the world and the second-largest exporter of poultry meat, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

What are the symptoms of avian flu in chickens and other birds?

In a video produced as part of Kentucky’s 2022 Avian Influenza Response Plan, State Veterinarian Dr. Katie Flynn said it is critical poultry producers and owners be on alert to detect signs of the flu in their flock.

“This is a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza that affects poultry. It’s highly contagious and spreads very easily,” she said. “It is deadly to birds, so it’s important to identify birds that are sick early so we can contain the virus.”

Symptoms include:

• Decreased water and feed consumption
• Respiratory signs
• High mortality

Flynn recommends limiting your flock’s exposure to the wild bird population, to include migratory waterbirds and waterfowl.

The USDA also encourages all poultry owners, large and small, to practice good biosecurity, like implementing a perimeter buffer area around where your birds are kept, disinfecting enclosures, disposing of manure properly and managing pests.

Owners and poultry managers should also report sick birds promptly. To report a suspected case, call the commonwealth’s sick bird hotline at 1-866-536-7593. The KDA is updating the public on the outbreak at Kyagr.com/hpai.

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This story was originally published December 15, 2025 at 1:07 PM.