Community Flocks To Help LI Duck Farm Devastated By Avian Bird Flu

RIVERHEAD, NY — "Locals helping locals." That's the slogan for an event taking place Saturday, meant to help workers at Crescent Duck Farms, where an outbreak of avian bird flu left owners with no choice but to cull their entire flock and quarantine the business.

North Fork Brewing Co. posted on social media: "In a time of drastic need, it’s sometimes impossible to ask for help. Our brewery and the North Fork community has decided to move ahead to help our neighbors at Crescent Duck Farms. Our goal is to lend a hand to a staple of our community by helping the employees" facing challenges due to "unforeseen recent setbacks."

The event takes place on Saturday, Feb. 1, from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the brewery, located at 24 East 2nd Street in Riverhead. A raffle will be held, with prizes and experiences provided by local restaurants, hotels, vineyards, breweries and artists. One hundred percent of the proceeds will benefit the employees at Crescent Duck Farm, organizers said.

"The brewery will also be donating $1 from every pint and 4-pack sold that day. It’s vital, even if hard for those to ask for assistance, to help friends and family when they need it most," organizers said.

Last week, Suffolk County health officials announced the outbreak of avian influence at the iconic Long Island poultry farm.

Crescent Duck Farm, located in Aquebogue, had to euthanize close to 100,000 ducks, its entire flock, leaving the future of the last remaining duck farm on Long Island uncertain, according to Riverhead Local.

Suffolk County Department of Health officials announced a confirmed detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), also known as H5N1 or bird flu, at the farm.

The farm's owner, Doug Corwin, reported signs of illness in his flock early the previous week, and test results from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the detection of H5N1 on Friday, county officials said.

The Suffolk County Department of Health Services is working closely with the Suffolk County Office of Emergency Management and the New York State Department of Health, officials said.

The department is in contact with Corwin, who reported that none of the potentially exposed workers was ill, county officials said.

Corwin did not respond to requests for interviews.

Staff began interviewing potentially exposed workers and providing H5N1 testing and preventive medications to those at high risk. Staff are also counseling Corwin, regarding preventive measures, including hand hygiene and the use of appropriate personal protective equipment ,to prevent further exposures to staff, Suffolk County health officials said.

Although workers may have been exposed, H5N1 is not known to be transmitted from human to human at this time and the risk to public health remains low, officials said.

"The risk to public health is minima,l as the virus at this point is not transmissible among humans. A full investigation is underway because there is some potential for transmission of the H5N1 bird flu from the infected birds to individual farm workers who had high-risk exposures," said Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Health Commissioner.

The farm housed more than 100,000 birds and is currently under quarantine. The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) are also involved in the response, officials said.

Both agencies are on site at the farm advising on depopulating, cleaning, and disinfection activities.

H5N1 avian influenza has been detected in wild birds and poultry in New York since 2022. Since March 2024, the USDA has confirmed that cows on dairy farms in multiple states have tested positive for H5N1 avian influenza. The virus has been found in raw (unpasteurized) milk and secretions from the noses of cows on these farms.

To date, there have been no human cases of avian influenza and no detections in cattle in New York.

The announcement prompted reminders for commercial and hobby poultry farmers to increase their biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of the H5N1virus. To learn more about biosecurity measures, click here.

Crescent Duck Farm, according to its website, was founded by Henry Corwin in 1908 in Aquebogue, on land that had been in the Corwin family since the 1600s. The business has remained family-owned and operated, the last bastion of an industry that once defined the East End.

There is some hope in sight, according to a Newsday article Tuesday that said thousands of eggs were saved that could mean a new chapter.

That's good news for many across Long Island who spoke out about how much the farm means not just to the culinary canvas, but to the community, including Chef Bujoreanu, who spoke to Patch about his reaction to the devastating news.

Also this week, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced New York State’s ongoing proactive measures to prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza and facilitate early detection, particularly on New York farms.

Following the detection of HPAI in poultry on Crescent Duck Farm and in several wild and domestic birds at a learning center in Putnam County, the state is encouraging organizations in contact with wild birds to remain vigilant for signs of illness in their domestic animals. Farms are urged to practice biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus. While HPAI can spread quickly among wild birds and poultry, there have been no documented human cases in New York State, and the risk to humans is low, she said.

"At my direction, New York State is continuing to monitor for HPAI and take proactive measures to keep our communities safe," Hochul said. "While the risk to public health remains low, I encourage all New Yorkers, especially individuals frequently in contact with poultry and wild birds, to remain vigilant and take the necessary steps to protect our state."

While both recent HPAI cases are under control and surveillance of surrounding farms continues, the state urged those involved in poultry production to take extra steps to prevent their flocks from becoming infected. All poultry producers, from small backyard to large commercial operations, should review biosecurity plans and take precautions to protect their birds.

In addition to practicing good biosecurity, poultry owners should keep their birds away from wild ducks and geese and their droppings, Hochul said. Outdoor access for poultry should be limited at this time, particularly as the state continues to see HPAI detections in wild bird populations.