New York City Mayor Eric Adams and the acting NYC health commissioner, Dr. Michelle Morse, announced Wednesday, Feb. 12, additional steps New York City is taking “out of an abundance of caution,” after birds in the City tested positive for H5N1, a type of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.

They said multiple birds have tested positive for H5N1 in New York City at parks and zoos in addition to the positive cases at live bird markets last week. They said New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is testing dead birds found in public parks for the virus. They added that the risk to New Yorkers remains low.

They said there have been no human cases of H5N1 in New York City or elsewhere in the State, and no human-to-human transmission has been detected from H5N1 anywhere in the United States. They said a small number of agricultural workers with close contact with infected animals in other parts of the country have tested positive for H5N1.

They recommended that New Yorkers who spot a sick or dead bird should maintain a safe distance and report the sighting. For poultry, residents should call the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at (518) 457-3502. For wild birds, residents should report online to NYS DEC.

“While birds in New York City have tested positive for the H5N1 virus, I want to assure New Yorkers that the risk to humans at this time remains low,” said the mayor. “There are currently no reported cases of bird flu in humans in our city or state, and our health officials are working closely with the state to ensure this continues to be the case. We are taking all the proper precautions to contain this virus and limit its spread.”

For her part, Morse said, “The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low. We have not seen avian influenza develop the ability to transmit between people. The Department of Health will continue to work closely with the state Department of Agriculture and state Department of Health to ensure that live bird market staff exposed to sick birds receive essential information and receive treatment.”

She added, “We are prepared to respond to disease outbreaks, including quickly ramping up testing and treatment, and working closely with providers and community partners to rapidly disseminate accurate information.”

City officials said that on Friday, Feb. 7, live bird markets were shut down by NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets’ Notice and Order for live bird markets. They said the order requires those markets where bird flu was not detected to sell all inventory, complete cleaning and disinfection procedures, and remain closed for three to five days. They said this was after H5N1 was detected in birds at seven markets in The Bronx, Kings, and Queens counties, as well as at markets in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. They said the shutdowns are temporary.

Officials went on to say that a collaborative effort across local and State agencies is underway to ensure New Yorkers remain safe. They said the City’s health department is working closely with the NYC Department of Parks and Recreation, NYS DEC, the NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the State health department to monitor the situation.

They said the City health department is communicating with workers at affected markets across New York City where H5N1 has been detected to provide guidance to staff on monitoring for symptoms. They said the health department is offering testing and Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, to any staff member of a live bird market, even if they are asymptomatic, at no cost, and regardless of immigration status. They provided the following addtional guidance to New Yorkers.

How New Yorkers Should Protect Themselves Against Bird Flu:

• Wear recommended personal protection equipment (PPE), such as gloves, facemasks, eye protection, and coveralls, when handling poultry. Carefully take off PPE and throw it away after each use.

• Wash hands often with soap and warm water, especially after touching birds or surfaces that could be infected. Avoid contact with surfaces with bird feces.

• Avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in areas where birds are being handled.

• Avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth after touching birds or surfaces that came into contact with birds.

• If handling dead birds is necessary, wear PPE, place the birds in a triple-bagged garbage bag, dispose of PPE properly, and immediately wash hands well with soap and water. Additionally, change any clothes while handling dead birds and wash them after disposal of the bird.

• Follow food safety guidelines. Handle poultry and eggs safely and cook them to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

• Do not consume raw milk or raw milk products.

• Get the annual flu vaccine.

• If an individual is experiencing symptoms and has had close contact with an infected bird or someone who tested positive for bird flu, they should consult with their doctor to see if they should be tested.

• Do not feed cats raw food diets or raw milk, and prevent them from roaming outdoors where they may hunt wild birds or other animals.

City officials said the City’s health department is prepared to respond to disease outbreaks, including vaccination, testing, and treatment, as appropriate, and is working closely with providers and community partners to rapidly disseminate accurate information.

They said the department is also communicating with affected live bird markets and providing guidance to staff on self-monitoring for symptoms. They added that live bird market workers should carefully monitor their health for 10 days after their last exposure to birds for symptoms, including headaches, cough, fever, shortness of breath, and more.