In today’s Health Alert, a new strain of bird flu - H5N9 - has been detected in the U.S. The first confirmed case was found at a commercial duck farm in California.

This latest outbreak is part of a broader epizootic that has swept across the United States, affecting not only poultry but also wild birds, mammals and humans.

Health officials urged people to identify avian flu symptoms early and properly cook chicken and eggs to limit risk of infections.

One of the top egg producers in the U.S. confirmed that a farm tested positive for cases of bird flu over the weekend, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

The ongoing bird flu outbreak is driving up egg prices, which had led to a nationwide shortage. When buying eggs, choose only refrigerated eggs and refrigerate them immediately once they are brought home.

While U.S. residents have gotten used to high prices at the grocery store, the cost of eggs is expected to rise even further this year.