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Cal-Maine Foods, Inc., the largest egg producer in the United States, was forced to temporarily close down one of its facilities in Parmer County, Texas, following an outbreak of bird flu.
The company said chickens at the facility tested positive for pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). As a result, nearly two million chickens, 1.6 million hens, and 337,000 young hens had to be slaughtered.
That represents about 3.6% of the company's total flock.
Cal-Maine Foods said that the outbreak does not pose any risk to the public and that there is "no known risk related to HPAI associated with eggs that are currently in the market, and no eggs have been recalled."
Officials said they are coordinating with local and federal authorities and others in the industry to mitigate the risk of any future outbreaks.
The company said it is trying to minimize the impact of the closure and is working "to secure production from other facilities."