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.

Indiana-based Rose Acre Farms, the second largest egg producer in the U.S., has confirmed fowl deaths from bird flu at its Indiana facility.

Indiana Department of Natural Resources say it’s “very likely” avian flu has reached Vanderburgh County. This comes as several dead geese were discovered at a lake near Evansville State Hospital. Conservation officers say in total,

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.

The recent uptick of highly pathogenic avian influenza across the state of Indiana has producers on high alert to curb the spread of the virus. Denise Derrer Spears with Indiana’s State Board of Animal Health says more than a six mile barrier is put in place immediately following a positive test result.

Over 2.8 million egg laying hens have been killed after a bird flu outbreak in Jackson County. It’s the largest appearance in Indiana of the infectious agent avian influenza since the strain was first spotted in 2022. Seymour based Rose Acre Farms confirmed the outbreak to Hoosier Ag Today in a statement:

This latest outbreak is part of a broader epizootic that has swept across the United States, affecting not only poultry but also wild birds, mammals and humans.

State agencies are issuing avian influenza (HPAI) precautions after detection of the virus in locations they manage. Although the chance of encountering a diseased animal—even less of catching or transmitting it—the safety steps are simple and procedures most readers likely already follow.

The second largest egg producer in the U.S. said its farm in Seymour, Indiana, tested positive for the avian flu. Rose Acre Farms said its Cort Acre Egg Farm started noticing deaths over the weekend.

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.

One of the top egg producers in the U.S. confirmed that a farm tested positive for cases of bird flu over the weekend, the company said in a statement Tuesday.

The Indiana Department of Natural Resources confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza, also known as bird flu, as the cause of death in waterfowl in Gibson County in December and suspects it as the cause of waterfowl deaths in Allen,