Live poultry markets in New York are back open after a five-day closure was implemented by New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Friday, Feb. 7, after the avian flu/bird flu or H5N1 virus was discovered in bird flocks at seven live bird markets in The Bronx, Queens, and Brooklyn. Officials said the ordered closures were mandated for testing, cleaning and disinfection of poultry markets in New York City, Westchester and Long Island.

 

On Jan. 28, the New York State Department of Agriculture (DOA) issued a health alert for the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), writing, “To date, 30 flocks in New York State have tested positive for HPAI since February 2022.”

 

According to a 2015 USDA document, there are two types of the H5N1 bird flu virus; one is low pathogenic (LPAI) referring to the ability of the virus to produce disease, and the other highly pathogenic (HPAI). HPAI H5N1 is often referred to as the “Asian” H5N1, and LPAI H5N1 as the “North American” H5N1. However, HPAI has been identified in the United States since January 2022.

 

According to the health alert, DOA worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), as well as NYS Department of Health and NYS Department of Environmental Conservation to stop the spread of the virus.

 

According to DOA, the first detection of bird flu in New York at a live poultry market occurred on March 22, 2023, in Queens, and the most recent outbreak began on Jan. 17 on Long Island. The virus was found at two unidentified live poultry markets in The Bronx on Feb. 4 and 6.
In issuing the temporary closure of live poultry markets on Feb. 7, Hochul said, “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.”

State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald previously said of the outbreak, “While there is no immediate threat to public health, and no known cases of HPAI in humans in New York State, we support the Department of Agriculture and markets’ latest proactive measures to prevent the spread of the disease between animals and humans by temporarily closing live bird markets in New York City and surrounding counties.”

 

Meanwhile, Dr. Michelle Morse, NYC Health Department Acting Commissioner, added, “The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu (H5N1) remains low. Avian influenza viruses only present a wider risk if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people—which we have not seen.” Morse added that government agencies would work with live bird markets to provide “essential information” to staff as well as providing any treatment if “symptoms present themselves.”

 

According to the State health department, avian flu “is a disease that is spread among birds and is caused by a flu virus. Water birds (such as ducks, geese, gulls and swans) can carry bird flu without looking sick, and bird flu can cause sickness and death in poultry birds (such as chickens and turkeys). Infected birds spread the virus through their saliva, nasal fluid, and feces.”

 

After reports of an outbreak at both the Queens and Bronx zoos, the Wildlife Conservation Society issued a statement on behalf of the Bronx Zoo that read in part, “We have assessed and reviewed our protocols regarding risk to our birds from avian influenza. We implemented steps at our zoos and aquarium to limit exposure to our animals to wild birds.”

 

The statement continued, “Three ducks at the Queens Zoo have died due to avian influenza. There are also nine wild birds and three collection ducks that have died at the Bronx Zoo that may have had exposure to the virus.” The statement concluded, “As a precaution, over the last two weeks, we moved vulnerable bird species to protected areas in our parks.”

 

On Sunday, Feb. 16, Robert, who lives across the street from the Bronx Zoo, told Norwood News, “Wild birds, geese and pigeons, those are the two wild birds that are just mainly in the zoo.” Gesturing, he said, “The geese are over there on the opposite side of the zoo.” Asked if he was concerned, Robert replied, “It’s going to affect the stray cats more than anything.”

 

During a visit to the Cross Bronx Live Poultry market located at 1863 Jerome Avenue in Morris Heights on Feb. 16, we observed hundreds of chickens in cages and a pair of customers in the market.

A man behind the counter who declined to be identified, told us, “We cleaned everything for the inspection.” He added that once informed of the latest bird flu outbreak in New York and the governor’s closure order, the market “immediately” closed.

 

Asked if their birds were checked, the man replied, “Of course! The moment they said close, we didn’t have any birds here. They went to a farm. That’s why we closed, and we did an inspection and cleaned.”

 

On Tuesday, Feb. 18, Norwood News contacted the Macca Vivero Live Poultry, Inc., located at 605 Morris Park Avenue in Van Nest, another live poultry market now back in business. A man who answered the phone at the market was asked about the closure order. “Call the USDA inspector,” he said. “We can’t talk about anything. Have a good day.” He then hung up.

 

When asked for his view on the latest outbreak, Kingsbridge resident C.J. Rivera said, “It’s a little bit concerning to me because if they have the bird flu, it could spread to human beings. I’m not too familiar with the bird flu but it concerns me somewhat. I’m worried about that.”

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends “the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit” to kill bacteria and viruses. Norwood News reached out to the Office of the Inspector General at USDA for comment as well as for additional information on the outbreak. They did not immediately respond to our request.

 

Animal rights groups say caged hens suffer from physical and psychological abuse.