A commercial egg-laying operation in Cache County, Utah was confirmed on July 6, 2026, to have an H5N1 highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, affecting 1.2 million hens, the largest single commercial flock loss in the United States in more than a month and a direct reminder that avian influenza remains an active threat to the U.S. egg supply.
The affected birds will be culled to prevent further spread of the virus. According to USDA APHIS and the Utah Department of Agriculture and Food (UDAF), eggs from this operation will not enter the commercial food supply. The FDA and USDA have consistently confirmed that pasteurized commercial eggs and egg products remain safe to eat.
