Local businesses are getting hit hard by climbing egg prices, and a recent bird flu outbreak at a Southern Indiana farm could drive up the cost of the essential ingredient even more.WLKY's NewsChopper captured video of crews in hazmat suits at Cort Acres Egg Farm in Seymour on Thursday morning.

Avian influenza, also known as the bird flu, is caused by influenza viruses that spread between birds. According to the Indiana Department of Natural Resources, bird flu is common in wild birds, especially waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors.

Rose Acre Farms, the nation's second largest egg producer, said yesterday that tests have confirmed avian flu at its facility in Seymour, Indiana, which could further stretch the supply of eggs as commercial farms in several states continue to battle the spread of the H5N1 virus.

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As bird flu cases continue to rise in the U.S., heavily impacting egg-laying flocks, so have the prices on cartons of fresh eggs due to dwindling supply. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has predicted egg prices could rise up to 20% this year due to egg shortages resulting from the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza,

As egg prices continue to climb, some grocery stores in Massachusetts are limiting how many customers can buy. The combination of bird flu and inflation might drive up egg prices by another 20% this year,

While U.S. residents have gotten used to high prices at the grocery store, the cost of eggs is expected to rise even further this year.

New York Attorney General Letitia James warned businesses Wednesday against price gouging on eggs and poultry amid a national bird flu outbreak.