REGION — For people in some parts of the country, for instance Texas, egg rationing has begun in some food store chains and the cost of eggs is soaring. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, as of June 1, the price of a dozen large eggs in the Northeast has increased from an average of $1.16 at the end of April to $2.43.

The cause of egg disruption is a strain of avian influenza (H5N2) that has ravaged flocks in the Midwest and caused nearly 47 million chickens and turkeys to be put to death. Iowa, which is the largest egg producer in the country, has lost half of its chickens.

Small backyard flocks of chickens have become very popular across much of the country and in the Upper Delaware Valley, but there are mixed opinions about whether those birds are likely to become infected. Experts agree that backyard chickens are vulnerable if they are exposed to the virus, but unsure whether it will spread to Pennsylvania and New York.

So far the closest state to see an infected bird is Michigan, where three young Canada geese were found to be infected. So far, the avian flu has been found in 21 states, and in six of those states, the flu has been found only in wild birds and not domestic flocks.

It is technically possible for humans to become infected with avian flu, but the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say the risk of human infection is very low, and as of now, no humans have become ill from the virus. Further officials say it is not expected to have an impact on the food chain.

But the outbreak is having a large impact on the agriculture community, including children involved in 4-H programs.

Colleen Monaghan, executive director of Cornell Cooperative Extension Sullivan County, told lawmakers recently that the “New York State Department of Ag and Markets has pretty much banned any and all poultry, avian or foul-related activities,” which means 4-H contests involving chickens will not take place this year.

She said, “That’s a pretty big deal for us because we have about 70 poultry fair exhibits, so we’ve been gently letting down about 30 young people. We’ll do something—maybe a poultry jeopardy, so they can talk about what they learned—but they spend a whole year raising these animals and they bring them to the fair and get awards, and they can’t bring them this year.”