State officials say the highly pathogenic avian influenza – more commonly known as bird flu – is widespread in much of the state.

Researchers have stressed that bird flu still poses a minimal risk to the general public, though that may change as the virus continues to circulate and potentially mutate. But the many empty shelves in stores and higher prices on the eggs that people can find have raised concerns among consumers about the safety of the egg supply.

H5N9 is “not commonly seen in poultry in general,” says Eman Anis, assistant professor at the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine. (Anis is part of a lab that conducts national testing of poultry samples for avian influenza.)

Bird flu, also known as H5N1, continues to spread among U.S. livestock, driving up egg prices and worrying public health experts.

Bird flu (H5N1) primarily affects birds but has spread to mammals, including humans. While human transmission remains rare, scientists fear mutation could make it airborne, potentially triggering a global health crisis.

This op-ed argues that to fight avian flu and other animal-borne illnesses, we need to overhaul our food system.

Currently, there are a total of 67 confirmed human cases in the United States and one death associated with the bird flu.