CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) - The price of eggs is on the rise again and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, in the past 12 months, from August of 2023, the price increased by 28.1%. While the price isn't as high as it was in late 2022 and early 2023, the fluctuating price may help decide if some consumers purchase them. Sandy Burrows of West Springfield told 22News, "I buy eggs. In the past, I would say three to four months, they've been up, they've been down, they've been up, they've been crazy prices. At one point they were $4.79, $5.00 which is crazy so no, I didn't buy them." While many attribute the rising cost of foods to inflation, there is another cause for this increase, bird flu. Bird flu is just like the flu for humans, it causes the birds to get sick and then produce fewer eggs leading to the price of eggs increasing. Massachusetts is not in the top 5 states experiencing the biggest price hikes. Those states are Minnesota, Missouri, Iowa, Oklahoma and Alabama. Local News Headlines PHOTOS: Police looking for attempted ATM card skimmer suspect in North Adams The Paramount Theater has been sold to an unidentified buyer September has been a very dry month Local senator calls for updated wiretap laws WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com.