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 in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, state officials said Friday.
Friday, February 7, 2025 3:16PM
New York State has ordered live bird markets in NYC, Long Island and Westchester to shut down after inspections lead to the discovery of seven cases of bird flu in poultry.
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.
“Avian influenza viruses only present a wider risk if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people – which we have not seen. 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 receive essential information and, if symptoms present themselves, receive any treatment they may need. We are prepared to respond to any disease outbreak, including quickly ramping up testing and treatment, and working closely with providers and community partners to rapidly disseminate messaging,” New York City Health Department Acting Commissioner Michelle Morse.
There are no human cases of avian influenza, and the threat to the public is low.
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.
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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 in Brooklyn, the Bronx, and Queens, state officials said Friday.
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