Live bird markets in NYC, Long Island, Westchester shut down after 7 avian flu cases
NEW YORK (WABC) -- Live bird markets in New York City, Long Island, and Westchester will be shut down for a week after seven cases of avian flu in poultry were found at live bird markets, state officials said Friday.
The cases were discovered during routine inspections in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn. All infected flocks will be depopulated.
The order by Governor Kathy Hochul requires those markets to sell down all inventory, complete cleaning and disinfection procedures, and remain closed for a period of five days after cleaning and disinfection.
"Safeguarding public health is all about being proactive, and New York State is continuing our coordinated effort to monitor for the Avian Influenza," Governor Hochul said. "My top priority will always be to keep New Yorkers safe, and I have directed our state agencies to use all available resources to ensure we are taking every measure necessary to keep the risk to the public low. We will continue to take these measured, common sense steps that will curb the spread of bird flu and ultimately protect our communities."
The state stressed the shutdowns are prudent, practice steps. Avian flu does not pose a public health threat, Gov. Hochul said.
There are no human cases of avian influenza, and the threat to the public is low.
"The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu (H5N1) remains low, we have not seen avian influenza develop the ability to transmit between people," said New York City Health Department Acting Commissioner Michelle Morse. "The NYC Health Department will continue to work closely with the NYS Department of Agriculture and NYS Department of Health to ensure that live bird market staff exposed to sick birds receive essential information and receive treatment. We are prepared to respond to disease outbreaks, including quickly ramping up testing and treatment, and working closely with providers and community partners to rapidly disseminate accurate information."
Abdul Mused owns Utica Poultry and eight other live markets in New York, and while he can sell his live chickens through Saturday night, whatever he doesn't sell will has to be destroyed, at a loss.
"Thousands. And the rent in New York, you know how much is this rent in New York for the workers, for us, for everybody," Mused said.
Despite the strict protocols, Mused says he respects the rules.
"It's for the benefit of our markets, what's happening," he said. "So, we will be able to contain if there's any diseases and also to start fresh."
But prices could go up, and not just for live chickens, but also for eggs, which are already high.
This is not the first time live bird markets in the state have been affected. New York State inspectors closed seven establishments for bird flu in 2022 and 2023, for about five days on average. They were all allowed them to reopen after cleaning and disinfection.
In February 2022, Kikiriki Live Poultry in Brooklyn had was found to have ducks, chicken, and guinea fowl infected with a type of bird flu. Tiba Live Poultry Market in Ridgewood, Queens, was also hit by bird flu in early 2022.
Statewide, 30 flocks have tested positive for HPAI since February 2022.
New York City has about 70 live bird markets. They are required to sell all of their poultry and thoroughly clean and disinfect the premises four times a year.
They are supposed to test samples from poultry for bird flu routinely.
Meanwhile, the Avian Influenza hasn't only been limited to live bird markets. It has also impacted New York City zoos.
The Wildlife Conservation Society said three ducks at the Queens Zoo have died due to avian flu. There are also nine wild birds and three collection ducks that have died at the Bronx Zoo that may have had exposure to the virus. They say lab tests are pending on these animals.
As a precaution, over the last two weeks, the Wildlife Conservation Society says they have moved vulnerable bird species to protected areas in their parks. They say veterinarians and curators continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and are collaborating with city, state and federal agencies.
They say their parks all remain open as there is little risk of humans having contact with birds in their parks or contracting the current strains of bird flu.
RELATED | Long Island farm forced to kill entire flock of 100,000 ducks amid bird flu outbreak
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