Shop limits eggs to 'one carton per household' amid avian flu epidemic

A village shop in the Lake District has decided to limit egg sales to customers as an avian flu epidemic continues. After supplies are affected by chicken farm restrictions, shoppers can only purchase one carton of eggs each at The Village Store in Coniston. Signs have been displayed at the store warning customers about the restrictions, the Mirror reported.

One sign read: "As a result of the Avian influenza, we have had restrictions on ALL eggs. Due to this issue we are having to put restrictions on the customer. One pack of eggs per person/household."

Though the site is not part of the Co-op supermarket chain, it confirmed to the Mirror it is part of the buying group and does stock its products.

The current outbreak of bird flu was confirmed in England in November 17 last year, with 63 total cases identified.

This includes one case of HPAI H5N5 and 62 cases of HPAI H5N1, which have prompted restrictions to stop the spread of the highly pathogenic influenza variants.

Current rules require poultry keepers, including hens, geese, and ducks, to prevent contact with wild birds.

Records must also be made of any movement, deaths and eggs produced.

In its latest update on the current outbreak, the Government confirmed that bird flu was found in commercial poultry at a seventh location near Thirsk in Yorkshire.

A 3km protection zone and a 10km surveillance zone were declared around the premises.

In 2022, the UK experienced its largest outbreak of bird flu, which killed 3.8 million birds in the country and 97 million globally.

While humans can contract bird flu, it is typically acquired through direct contact with infected animals or prolonged exposure to contaminated environments.

Human-to-human transmission is very rare because the viruses cannot survive long between humans.

The Food Standards Agency has assured the public that bird flu poses a very low food safety risk for UK consumers, as properly cooked poultry is safe to eat.

For more information on the current outbreak, visit the Animal and Plant Health Agency website.