Gov. Hochul on Friday ordered the short-term shutdown of reside fowl 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 mentioned she was taking a proactive method to get forward of the illness within the wake of considerations 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 mentioned 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.
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.
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,” mentioned Michelle Morse, New York Metropolis’s appearing well being commissioner,.
Chook flu is a illness brought on by a household of flu viruses primarily transmitted amongst birds. Tens of tens of millions of birds have been slaughtered to restrict the unfold of the virus, which has led on to the rising value of poultry and eggs.
