When you go to the grocery store you may notice a higher price tag on eggs. That's because Avian Influenza has affected over 40 million birds in the U.S. according to the Penn State Cooperative Extension.
Hollywood Pizza and Bakery in Mount Carmel is known for its pizza, spaghetti, and homemade pastries. Owner Ed Stellar says 90 percent of his products are made with eggs.
"Not just two, three eggs, dozens of eggs. So it's going to affect me just like it's going to affect everybody," Ed Stellar said.
Stellar is referring to an increase in egg prices.
The Penn State Cooperative Extension says this is because of Avian Influenza. So far the disease killed over 40 million birds in the United States, mostly in the Midwest.
Stellar says he is already starting to see the price difference in his egg bill.
"I noticed my egg price and it was ridiculous. At first I had to look again I didn't think it was right," Stellar said.
The bird flu is also making some changes to local events. The state's Department of Agriculture recently decided that bird exhibits will not be allowed at county fairs, including the Bloomsburg Fair and next year's Pennsylvania Farm Show.
"We always go through that section so it will be a shame, but if it has to be, it will have to be then," Jill Wetzel said.
Wetzel said her family eats a lot of eggs.
"Have a lot of kids in the house and it's just one more cost that you'd rather not have," Wetzel said.
Dennis Curtin of Weis Markets says the disease has not hit Pennsylvania as of now, but it's likely to impact prices for quite some time.
"We have absorbed most of the cost for the time being. We have also passed on some of those costs to our customers," Curtin said.
The Penn State Cooperative Extension says Pennsylvania chicken and turkey farmers are trying to prevent Avian Influenza by restricting visitors, increasing equipment and boot washing, and by trying to stop wild birds from mingling with the egg-laying birds. The cooperative extension insists the eggs you buy are safe to eat.
