Nevada legislators are set to discuss Assembly Bill 171, a proposed measure aimed at addressing the supply chain issues that have caused an increase in egg prices and a decrease in availability due to the H5N1 bird flu virus. The bill would give the State Quarantine Officer the authority to temporarily suspend Nevada’s cage-free egg law in order to access additional egg markets during national disruptions caused by disease outbreaks or natural disasters.
The Retail Association of Nevada supports the bill, emphasizing the importance of ensuring that Nevada families have access to affordable protein sources like eggs. They urge legislative leaders to take swift action on Assembly Bill 171 to provide relief for consumers and businesses affected by the supply chain disruptions.
In addition to the bill, the Nevada Department of Agriculture and the USDA Wildlife Services are taking steps to prevent the spread of avian influenza by placing dairy cattle premises in Nye and Churchill counties under quarantine. Preliminary tests have shown the presence of a strain of the virus consistent with those found in wild birds across North America.
The H5N1 influenza virus primarily infects birds but can also affect humans, with symptoms similar to the common flu. Some antiviral drugs may help if administered within two days of symptoms. The bill and additional measures taken by authorities aim to mitigate the impact of the virus on both the egg market and public health in Nevada.
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