Overview

• Governor Kathy Hochul ordered the closure of live bird markets in New York City, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties after seven bird flu cases were detected during routine inspections.
• The shutdown requires markets to sell or remove all live birds, undergo cleaning and disinfection, and remain closed for at least five days until cleared by state inspectors.
• No human cases of bird flu have been reported in New York, and officials emphasize that the risk to public health remains low, though precautions are being taken.
• The H5N1 strain of avian flu has led to the culling of millions of birds nationwide and contributed to rising egg prices, with a 20% increase in egg costs projected this year.
• Experts warn that live poultry markets, which are less regulated than commercial farms, pose a higher risk for disease transmission to humans and other animals.