In response to recent avian influenza detections, New York Governor Kathy Hochul has ordered a temporary shutdown of live-poultry markets in the New York City area, NBC News reports.
The order mandates that markets close from February 7 to February 14 to facilitate a thorough disinfection process.
The directive impacts markets in New York City, Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties. Markets that haven’t detected bird flu are required to sell off their existing inventory and then close for five days following the cleaning process. Sellers with suspected cases of avian influenza in their flocks are instructed to contact the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets.
Gov. Hochul described the measure as proactive. This action comes after seven cases of bird flu were detected in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn during the first week of February.
Adding to the concern, the Wildlife Conservation Society reported on Saturday that three ducks at the Queens Zoo died due to avian influenza. At the Bronx Zoo, at least 12 birds died, with the Society indicating a potential link to the virus, though lab testing is still required to confirm the cause of death.
The bird flu outbreak is contributing to ongoing concerns about rising egg prices across the US. This week, thieves stole 100,000 eggs in Pennsylvania, valued at about $40,000. In late January, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a warning to businesses against price gouging.
Adding another layer to the concerns, a new strain of bird flu has been detected in dairy cows. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) confirmed the presence of a different strain in Nevada cows through genome sequencing of milk, marking the first such detection in the state.
The Nevada Department of Agriculture is conducting an on-farm investigation to prevent further spread. However, the USDA emphasized that several studies have shown that commercial pasteurization effectively inactivates the virus, ensuring the safety of milk for consumption.
