CHICAGO (WLS) — Prices of eggs, a breakfast essential, are on the rise due to the spread of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
A popular South Side restaurant has already been paying more for eggs.
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Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles consumes a large quantity of eggs daily and has experienced a significant increase in costs, with prices per case jumping from $60 to nearly $150.
“We serve a variety of egg dishes, such as our famous five-egg omelet and skillet, and eggs are a popular choice among our customers,” explained Brian Mills, the general manager of Chicago’s Home of Chicken and Waffles. “Since breakfast is a big part of our business, we are striving to avoid passing on the increased costs to our customers.”
A dozen large grade-A eggs cost an average of $4.15 in the U.S. last month, according to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a nearly 37% increase from a year before. It’s also a much larger jump than the 2.5% increase in overall food prices.
Experts with the Chicago Bird Collision Monitors are keeping a close eye on the situation.
This month, an outbreak wiped out the entire flock of chickens at a farm is south suburban Matteson.
Two animals at the Lincoln Park Zoo, a flamingo and a seal, died from the disease.
Bird flu naturally spreads among aquatic fowl and wild birds. Human cases of bird flu are rare, but can occur, experts said.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still consider the public health risk low. But as the spread continues, there are concerns about a possible new mutation in the bird flu could cause it to be more easily be able to infect humans.
“Eating eggs is still safe in most cases, but they have to be prepared properly,” said Dr. Stephany Lewis with the University of Illinois College of Veterinary Medicine.
Officials are warning the public to not touch birds that look sick and report it to the authorities.
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