Temporary Closure Of Live Bird Markets Aims To Stop Avian Flu Spread

LONG ISLAND, NY —As part of New York State’s continued effort to combat the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Department of Agriculture and Markets has issued a new notice and order for live bird markets that have not had a detection of HPAI on Long Island and in New York City and Westchester, Gov. Kathy Hochul said Friday.

The order 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.

In addition, the notice and order further outlines quarantine and depopulation procedures for markets that have confirmed detections of HPAI.

The notice and order follows seven detections of HPAI in markets in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn during routine surveillance conducted by AGM since January 31, Hochul said.

Earlier in January, an outbreak of avian bird flu led to the iconic Crescent Duck Farm on Long having to cull its entire flock and quarantine the business.

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

Owners of Crescent Duck Farm did not immediately return requests for comment.

New York State reminded farmers to follow good biosecurity measures and emphasized that the risk to humans remained low.

"Safeguarding public health is all about being proactive, and New York State is continuing our coordinated effort to monitor for the avian influenza," 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."

HPAI is a contagious viral disease that is known to be deadly to domestic poultry and has been transmitted within and between farms and live bird markets. The temporary shutdown mandated by the notice and order is necessary and essential to ensuring a break in HPAI virus transmission within the impacted markets, Hochul said.

While AGM’s routine surveillance is effective, after finding seven detections of HPAI in live bird markets within the last week, the temporary shutdown ensures that the state can get ahead of any additional opportunities for transmission of the virus within the markets at the current time. A uniform market closure for a five-day period addresses the persistence and circulation of the virus within the markets by quickly reducing the virus prevalence to zero percent, Hochul said.

Effective immediately, the notice and order requires that:

• No poultry shall be delivered to live bird markets or distributors covered by the order from February 7 through February 14.
• Any market that harbors birds exhibiting clinical signs of HPAI must contact the Department of Agriculture and Markets immediately to undergo investigation and testing.
• Markets that test positive for HPAI shall be depopulated; undergo cleaning and disinfection and be empty of birds for five days, at a minimum; and shall remain closed until the market passes cleaning and disinfection inspection by an AGM animal health inspector.
• All unaffected live bird markets in New York City and Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties must sell down all inventory for a period of three days beginning on February 7; complete cleaning and disinfection procedures; and subsequently close for a period of five days following cleaning and disinfection. These markets must pass a cleaning and disinfection inspection by an AGM animal health inspector before reopening.

Cleaning and disinfection includes the removal of all organic debris from all equipment, caging, flooring, etc.; and requires that all surfaces be cleaned with soap or detergent, rinsed with water, and saturated with a disinfectant appropriate for killing the avian influenza virus, in accordance with the manufacturer’s label.

USDA provides indemnity and compensation for losses incurred following a confirmed detection of HPAI on a premise.

AGM, DOH, and DEC continue to collaborate closely on proactive measures to prevent the spread of HPAI and facilitate early detection, as the risk to humans remains low. The New York State Department of Health is also reminding the public that the finding of HPAI in the markets does not present an immediate public health concern. Individuals working in the markets will be assessed for potential high-risk exposure and be monitored for symptoms by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene accordingly, Hochul said. If any become ill, they will be evaluated for infection with avian influenza.

Since the start of 2024, there have been 67 human cases of avian influenza in the United States, and none of those have been in New York State.

AGM encourages 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 their biosecurity plans and take precautions to protect their birds, officials said.

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

To report sick birds, unexplained high number of deaths, or sudden drop in egg production, residents are asked to contact AGM’s Division of Animal Industry at 518-457-3502 or the USDA at 866-536-7593.