Hochul Orders Westchester Live Bird Markets Closed Over Outbreak

WESTCHESTER, NY — Gov. Kathy Hochul has ordered all live bird markets in Westchester County to temporarily close in response to bird flu being found in New York City live bird markets.

Hochul on Friday announced that the Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) has issued a new "Notice and Order" for live bird markets in Westchester, New York City, Suffolk, and Nassau counties.

The order applies to at least two businesses in Westchester County.

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. The order follows seven detections of H5N1 in markets in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn during routine surveillance since Jan. 31.

Officials said despite the new measures, the risk to humans remains very 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."

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H5N1 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. Officials said that while routine surveillance is effective, after finding seven detections of bird flue 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.

"While there is no immediate threat to public health and no known cases of HPAI in humans in New York State, we support the Department of Agriculture and Markets' latest proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease between animals and humans by temporarily closing live bird markets in New York City and surrounding counties," New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said. "Those who have regular contact with livestock and wild birds should safeguard their health by wearing personal protective equipment when in contact with these animals. We will remain vigilant in working with our state and local partners to monitor for detections and reduce any potential risks to public health and safety."

Health officials say 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.

The Notice and Order requires concrete steps that markets in the named counties must follow:

• No poultry may be delivered to live bird markets or distributors covered by the order from February 7, 2025 through February 14, 2025.
• Any market that harbors birds exhibiting clinical signs of disease must contact the Department of Agriculture and Markets immediately to undergo investigation and testing.
• Markets that test positive for HPAI must be "depopulated," and undergo cleaning and disinfection. The markets must then 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 Westchester, New York City, Suffolk, and Nassau counties must sell down all inventory for a period of three days beginning on Feb. 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, 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.

"Through Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is acting aggressively to monitor for and advance actions to reduce the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza," New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said. "DEC remains committed to working comprehensively with our state and federal partners to respond to HPAI and encourages New Yorkers to use our new web-based tool to report suspected HPAI outbreaks in wildlife, and follow proper precautions when handling deceased wildlife. Visit DEC's website for additional information on safe wildlife handling and proper disposal techniques."

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