​BIRD FLU RESTRICTS MCDONALD'S BREAKFAST HOURS IN AUSTRALIA: WHAT WE KNOW SO FAR

Australia may find trouble ordering a late-morning breakfast McDonald's Muffin as the nation's outlet has reduced breakfast service hours after the egg supply was hit by the bird flu outbreaks.

McDonald's, in a Facebook post, announced its decision and said that the shortage of eggs caused by bird flu outbreaks that have led to the slaughter of about 1.5 million chickens.

"Like many retailers, we are carefully managing supply of eggs due to current industry challenges," McDonald's said on Facebook, adding that from Tuesday it would stop serving breakfast at 10:30 am.

"We are working hard with our Aussie farmers and suppliers to return this back to normal as soon as possible," the fast food company said, according to Reuters.

Australia hit by avian influenza

Australia is currently grappling with outbreaks of various strains of highly pathogenic avian influenza, which have affected 11 poultry facilities, primarily egg farms, in the country's southeast region since May. Fortunately, none of the strains detected are the H5N1 variant of bird flu that has been spreading through bird and mammal populations globally, infecting billions of animals and a small number of humans.

According to authorities, less than 10% of Australia's egg-laying hens have been impacted, and the virus is being successfully contained. However, several retailers have implemented limits on the number of eggs customers can purchase due to some disruption in egg supply, with shelves in certain stores emptying towards the end of the day, as reported by Rowan McMonnies, the managing director of Australian Eggs, last week.

Bird flu is transmitted to farmed animals from wild birds, and the current outbreaks in 2024 mark Australia's 10th occurrence since 1976, with each instance being contained and eradicated, according to the government.

Egg and chicken meat supply

According to the Australian government, the national layer hen flock has been impacted by these outbreaks which is resulting in some localised disruption to egg supplies to the retail, hospitality and manufacturing sectors. Consumers can expect to see some empty shelves in the short-term, however, supplies are being re-directed to areas with short supply.

Consumers should refrain from purchasing more eggs than required. Some retailers have already imposed purchasing limits which may extend across retail chains and jurisdictions, including rural and regional areas.

The Australian government said that there has been no impact of the supply of chicken meat.