Gov. Hochul on Friday ordered the non permanent shutdown of stay chook markets in New York Metropolis, Westchester, and Lengthy Island following the detection of Avian Flu at seven areas in Queens, Brooklyn and the Bronx.
Hochul stated she was taking a proactive strategy to get forward of the illness within the wake of issues over how rapidly the extremely pathogenic avian influenza is spreading.
“Over the last week, inspectors have detected seven cases of bird flu in poultry during a routine visit to live bird markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens,” Hochul stated throughout a digital public well being briefing.
“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.
The Manhattan Poultry Market is pictured Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
Hochul said the order is precautionary. The shutdown is set to remain in effect through Feb. 14.
During that time, Hochul said, markets must clean and disinfect, and undergo a state health inspection before they can reopen.
There have been a number of reports of animals and people catching bird flu across the U.S. Even so, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has said the risk to the public remains low.
Experts who have weighed in said there is low risk to the general public with a few exceptions.
Earlier this month, the CDC confirmed the first human death linked to the virus.
The Manhattan Poultry Market is pictured Friday, Feb. 7, 2025 in Manhattan, New York. (Barry Williams / New York Daily News)
Meanwhile, the city’s health department is working closely with state officials to make sure workers at live bird markets receive essential information and that they receive treatment they need for any symptoms that arise.
“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,” stated Michelle Morse, New York Metropolis’s appearing well being commissioner,.
Chicken flu is a illness attributable to a household of flu viruses primarily transmitted amongst birds. Tens of thousands and thousands of birds have been slaughtered to restrict the unfold of the virus, which has led on to the rising price of poultry and eggs.
Initially Printed: February 7, 2025 at 12:15 PM EST
