New York ordered on Friday the closing of all live bird markets in New York City, Westchester, and Long Island for a week, after detecting seven cases of avian flu in bird markets in the city.
Governor Kathy Hochul stated that there is no immediate threat to public health and that the temporary closure of bird markets is a precautionary measure. No cases of avian flu in humans have been detected in New York.
The order was issued after finding seven cases of avian flu in poultry during routine inspections in live bird markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens districts of New York City.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have indicated that the virus poses a low risk to the general public. The agency mentioned that there have been 67 confirmed cases of avian flu in humans in the United States, with mild illnesses mainly detected among agricultural workers who were exposed to sick poultry or cows daily.
The first death from avian flu in the United States was reported last month in Louisiana. Authorities stated that the individual was over 65 years old, had underlying medical issues, and had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a backyard coop.
In New York, live bird markets where the virus was detected must dispose of all poultry in a sanitary manner, according to the order. Other bird markets without cases will have to sell the remaining poultry, clean and disinfect, then remain closed for at least five days and be inspected by state officials before reopening.
The H5N1 strain of avian flu has been spreading among wild birds, poultry, cows, and other animals. Officials have urged people who come into contact with sick or dead birds to use respiratory and eye protection and gloves when handling poultry.