The impact of avian flu and related restrictions - after the first case was confirmed in Nottinghamshire - has been described as "heartbreaking". Wide-ranging controls have been ordered after a highly infectious strain of the disease was detected in UK birds.

Nearly two million U.S. turkeys have died from bird flu in recent months. An agricultural economist explains what ongoing outbreaks could mean for Thanksgiving meals

It is not yet clear how much of an impact these rising cases of bird flu could have on costs. As experts have said, if cases continue to surge, there could be ripple effects through the market, reaching the prices consumers pay for certain products in grocery stores.

Migrating wild birds are spreading the virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.

Since late 2021, a panzootic, or "a pandemic in animals," of highly pathogenic bird flu variant H5N1 has devastated wild birds, agriculture, and mammals. Unlike previous outbreaks, aggressive culling of domestic birds has not contained it,

Turkey prices tend to rise closer to holidays such as Thanksgiving. But tariffs and bird flu could dramatically drive up the cost of turkeys this year.

Associated Craft Butchers of Ireland says there will be demand for as many as 700,000 turkeys over the festive period