Multiple moving parts have caused a shortage of eggs, starting with avian influenza and demand, David Murray writes.

Avian influenza is in the same virus family as seasonal flu. Poultry has proven to be very sensitive to the virus, which results in high mortality.

On her first day on the job last week, new US Department of Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins held a meeting to review the agency’s options for controlling the bird flu outbreak and possibly help lower the price of eggs.