GREAT FALLS — “Bird flu” — also known as Avian Flu — is practically a public health buzzword. But what do you need to know about the virus?
“Humans get the flu and birds get the flu," said Cascade City-County Health Department Health Officer Abigail Hill.
Hill explains that, although it is a risk for birds, it’s not currently a large threat to humans: “Since like 2024 we’ve had like 60 or so cases in the entire United States of human transfer to bird flu.”
None of those human cases have occurred in Montana. However, it’s still worth being safe for your health as well as for other animals’ health.
“If you’re changing bird feeders, wear gloves. Wash hands, because you do have migratory birds that might be using those feeders," Hill said.
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If you need a general rule of thumb, keep you and your pets away from potentially sick birds.
“If you see a bird that looks sick, just don’t touch it. If you absolutely have to, wear gloves. The great thing is you can always call Fish, Wildlife, Parks.”
FWP’s phone number is 406-454-5840.
Perhaps the largest practical effect you can see the bird flu hitting is your grocery store's egg section — or lack thereof.
Michael Vetere, general manager of 2J’s Fresh Market in Great Falls, said that they’ve had trouble stocking their eggs.
“Say we order 10 cases, and we may only get like, six or so," Vetere said.
He says this hasn’t caused inflated prices — at least not yet.
“Especially when we get closer to Easter and people start baking again, I feel like we’ll start bumping up again if this continues into like March and April.”
2J’s had trouble stocking their chicken recently, but that issue was resolved in about a month.
The egg supply is a different story, though.
“From what my understanding is if the bird flu were to go away today, we're looking at it could be six months before the new chicks get big enough to where they start laying eggs," Vetere said.
For 2J’s, it’s a tense waiting game, that they hope gets resolved soon.
