Texas customs officers scramble plans, stop at least 90 from smuggling eggs into the US
Since January, U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents in Texas have stopped at least 90 people from smuggling eggs into the country from Mexico, the agency said in a news release Friday.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, or CBP, specialists in the El Paso, Texas area have issued 16 civil penalties totaling almost $4,000 linked to the attempted smuggling of prohibited products such as raw eggs.
It is illegal to bring fresh eggs, raw chicken, unprocessed avian products and live birds into the U.S., the agency said, adding that travelers should declare all agriculture products to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers and agriculture specialists.
“Failure to declare may lead to potential fines and penalties,” the agency said.
U.S. Customs and the agency Border Protection issued a reminder that raw egg imports from Mexico are prohibited due to health concerns regarding Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza or bird flu.
Egg prices have risen since 2022 due to rising cases of the bird flu, and there have also been reports of egg shortages amid the chaos. Some experts say consumers are contributing to the egg shortage by panic buying, much like what happened with toilet paper during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Some consumers who previously bought a dozen eggs at a time are now buying four dozen, Saloni Vastani, an associate professor of marketing at Emory University, previously told Paste BN.
"Egg prices are going up because of the avian flu, but that’s driving people to buy more eggs than they usually do because they’re anticipating higher prices and reduced grocery store supply," Vastani said.
Bird flu and its symptoms
Bird flu is widespread in wild birds and has caused outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the CDC). There have been multiple human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers, although the agency said the public health risk is low.
There have been 70 cases of the bird flu in the U.S., with one leading to death, the CDC said.
Mild symptoms of bird flu in humans include eye redness and irritation, mild fever, cough and fatigue.
Moderate to severe disease symptoms include high fever, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing and seizures.
Complications from bird flu can also lead to pneumonia, respiratory failure, acute kidney injury, multi-organ failure (respiratory and kidney failure), sepsis or septic shock.
Infected birds transmit the bird flu through their saliva, mucus and feces, the CDC said. Humans can contract it if the virus gets into their eyes, nose or mouth. This can happen when the virus is in the air, a person breathes it in or possibly when someone touches something contaminated by the virus and then touches their mouth, eyes or nose.
There is no cure for the bird flu and antibiotics are “useless against viruses,” according to experts from the University of Tennessee. The researchers added that multiple companies are currently working on a vaccine though.
“Vaccination would potentially result in fewer outbreaks and lessen the financial impact on the government and both the public and private sectors,” the researchers wrote.
Another concern about raw eggs being illegally imported
An additional concern about raw eggs being imported from Mexico include the potential transmission of Virulent Newcastle disease or VND, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said.
The disease can cause severe neurologic, respiratory and gastrointestinal issues. It’s fatal in birds and is “one of the most serious diseases of chickens worldwide,” according to the University of California, Davis or UC Davis.
The university said the disease does not pose a food safety concern and no human cases have been reported as a result of consumption of poultry products. According to UC Davis, people can spread the virus, as well as birds through respiratory droplets and feces.
“Chickens are very susceptible, whereas ducks and geese are moderately resistant,” the university wrote on its website. “Parrots, especially Amazon parrots, can shed the virus intermittently, sometimes for more than a year. Turkeys typically do not develop severe signs.”
Birds who have VND may show signs such as inactivity, coughing, sneezing, swollen eyelids, diarrhea, drooping wings and reduced egg production, the university said. They may also show signs such as twisting of the head and neck, circling, paralysis and muscle tremors. Neurological signs usually occur after the previously mentioned signs.
According to the university, there is no cure for VND but there are vaccines issued as eye drops. Vaccinated animals could still contract the disease but “clinical signs are usually less severe in vaccinated animals,” UC Davis reported.
Other items besides eggs that have been seized at the border recently
Other seizures Customs and Border Protection reported include a Valentine’s Day seizure of 64 pounds of methamphetamine at the Ysleta port of entry.
Officers made the discovery at 1:30 p.m. that day. A 32-year-old man was driving a 2008 Ford F-150. When the man arrived at the Ysleta port of entry, officers completed a Low Energy Portal scan and noticed anomalies in the way the vehicle looked.
Officers inspected the vehicle and found bundles of meth in the rear seats. A drug-sniffing dog also searched the truck and found narcotics. An x-ray scan of the truck led to the discovery of items in the back seat and a spare tire.
Altogether, officers removed 56 drug-filled bundles from the truck. The Texas Department of Public Safety took the driver into custody and he will be charged in connection to the smuggling attempt.
On Feb. 17, officers stopped a traveler from Mexico at the Paso Del Norte international crossing who had 180 rooster gaffs or blades, as well as 7,500 Viroton animal steroid tablets. The blades are used in animal fighting and are illegal, Customs and Border Protection said, adding that the agency issued the traveler a $2,000 penalty.
And during the last seven days, officers have made 30 National Crime Information Center fugitive apprehensions. Those apprehended were wanted for assault, drugs, probation violations, stolen vehicles, or other charges, Customs and Border Protection said.
“CBP officers remain steadfast in their efforts to execute their primary homeland security mission,” said Hector Mancha, director Of field operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection, in the news release. “Their inspections will often uncover multiple violations and help separate law-abiding travelers from those who pose a risk to our community.”
This story has been updated to note that these smuggling attempts happened in the El Paso, Texas area and to clarify the enforcing agency.
Contributing: Betty Lin-Fisher
Saleen Martin is a reporter on Paste BN's NOW team. She is from Norfolk, Virginia – the 757. Email her at sdmartin@usatoday.com.