Dr. James Lederer, chief medical officer for Berkshire Health Systems, says we’re seeing the beginning, not the end, of an especially significant flu season.

State officials say the highly pathogenic avian influenza – more commonly known as bird flu – is widespread in much of the state.

The number of bird flu cases in Central Massachusetts is relatively low, compared to a swath of the state that runs from Greater Boston to Southeastern Massachusetts. That message was delivered Wednesday during a virtual update from state health officials on the highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 virus.

Egg farms are still recovering from the 2022 outbreak but now there’s also the cage-free law, mutations and competition as bird flu devastates other states.

As the bird flu wreaks havoc on the the poultry industry, egg prices are surging, putting pressure on restaurants, grocers and consumers.

A number of factors - chiefly, the bird flu - is causing you to pay more for eggs at the market than ever. Will the price of eggs ever come down?

The price of eggs have skyrocketed thanks to the bird flu, impacting everything from big-chain grocery stores and restaurants, to the local deli around the corner selling your favorite bacon, egg and cheese.