CITYWIDE — GOV. KATHY HOCHUL ISSUED AN ORDER on Friday to temporarily shut down all live bird markets in New York City, as well as in Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties, after inspectors detected seven cases of “highly pathogenic” bird flu in poultry during routine inspections this past week.
The order is effective Friday, Feb. 7 through Friday, Feb. 14, Hochul said during an Avian Influenza Public Health Briefing with the state departments of Health and of Agriculture and Markets.
“Each uninfected market must sell down all inventory, undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection, and then remain closed for at least five days. Each must then be inspected by our State Ag and Markets before they can reopen,” she said. While there is no immediate public health threat to people, Hochul said, “safeguarding public health is all about being proactive and especially when it comes to fighting infectious diseases.”
There are roughly 20 live poultry markets in Brooklyn scattered in neighborhoods including Williamsburg, Bushwick, Sunset Park, Borough Park, Prospect Heights, Brownsville and Canarsie.
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