The star of the Thanksgiving meal will be harder to find this year due to a turkey shortage and growing prices. According to NPR, “Wholesale turkey prices have jumped 23% from a year ago.” 

This jump in price could be a result of several factors, one of which is H5N1 bird flu. According to the CDC, bird flu has affected 50,371,760 birds. The Washington Post said, “more than 6 million turkeys nationwide, about 3 percent of the nation’s total turkey production [have been eliminated due to the spread]” leaving the dinner table for many families bare of this Thanksgiving favorite. In anticipation for the winter season, warnings say this holiday may call for an unconventional meal.