The risk of bird flu to humans is low, but eating undercooked eggs or chicken could increase your chances of exposure to infection and germs.

If you’ve been to the store recently and feel like you’re spending more money on eggs than in the past, you are not alone. A recent outbreak of avian influenza, or bird flu, has disrupted egg production in the United States.

The humble egg, one of nature’s perfect foods, a self-packaged, relatively inexpensive source of protein that can serve as a lowly hangover remedy or help a souffle rise to heavenly heights, is also a great teacher. It’s helping Americans understand how a free-market economy works: When demand is high and supply is low, prices rise.