NEW YORK — In light of recent findings of avian flu, all live poultry markets within New York City and several nearby suburbs have been ordered to cease operations for one week. This decision comes after the discovery of seven instances of the virus, which has already led to the culling of millions of birds across the country, spiking egg prices considerably.
Governor Kathy Hochul emphasized that there is currently no direct threat to public health. The precautionary measure affecting the city’s markets as well as those in Westchester County and Long Island is a proactive step to ensure safety. Officials confirmed that there have been no reported cases of avian flu among humans in New York.
The mandate was issued following inspections that uncovered infected birds in live animal markets located in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens boroughs of New York City. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has classified the virus as posing a low risk to the general population. To date, 67 cases of bird flu have been confirmed in humans across the U.S., with most instances being mild and predominantly affecting farmworkers who had exposure to sick poultry or contaminated environments.
The first reported bird flu-related fatality in the U.S. occurred last month in Louisiana. Health authorities indicated that the individual, over 65 with pre-existing health issues, had contact with sick birds in a backyard flock.
According to the state’s directive, markets where the virus has been identified are required to dispose of all poultry in an appropriate manner. Markets that have no confirmed cases must sell off their remaining poultry stock, followed by cleaning and disinfecting procedures. They will remain closed for a minimum of five days and require inspection by state officials before resuming business.
The H5N1 strain of avian flu has been circulating among wild birds, poultry, and other animals. Authorities are advising individuals who may come into contact with sick or deceased birds to utilize appropriate respiratory gear, eye protection, and gloves while handling poultry.
Nationwide, the outbreak has impacted over 156 million birds, particularly affecting large-scale farming operations that have been compelled to cull entire flocks. As a result, U.S. egg prices are anticipated to stay elevated beyond Easter and extend into 2025 due to the ongoing influence of avian flu, according to CoBank, a financial services provider based in Denver that specializes in the agricultural sector.
Since 2022, nearly 100 million egg-laying hens in the U.S. have been affected by the highly contagious virus. However, CoBank also points out that other elements are contributing to supply shortages and escalating prices, including increasing consumer demand for eggs, further intensified by the rapid expansion of breakfast and brunch chains such as First Watch, which are depleting available supplies.
