As spring approaches, concerns about avian influenza (bird flu) are mounting in New York. The state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets is taking swift action to protect livestock and poultry as a particularly infectious strain of the virus, H5N1, continues to spread across the country. With the migration of wild birds back to the Northeast, the state is on high alert.
Richard A. Ball, commissioner of the state Department of Agriculture and Markets, describes the effort to track avian flu as an “anxious game.” The virus has already decimated poultry populations, killing over 166 million birds nationwide. In response, New York has ramped up its efforts to keep the virus out of the state’s livestock.
New York has implemented strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus to its dairy herds. Last month, the federal Department of Agriculture reported the first-ever case of H5N1 in dairy cattle, affecting 17 states primarily in the West. While there have been no known cases in New York's dairy herds, officials are taking no chances. Restrictions have been placed on dairy cattle movement across state lines, and all cattle from affected areas must be certified healthy by a veterinarian before entering the state.
This comes at a time when New York’s dairy industry, the fourth largest in the country, is particularly vulnerable. With nearly 3,600 dairy farms across the state, the risk of a widespread outbreak is a serious concern. Ball notes that farmers are on edge, with 15 reported cases of avian flu already in New York this year—matching the total number of cases in the last two years combined.
In response to a rise in cases, New York City shut down several live bird markets after detecting avian flu in seven of them. These markets, where animals like chickens, goats, and rabbits are slaughtered on-demand, are especially concerning due to their cramped and unsanitary conditions, making them a hotbed for the spread of diseases like avian flu.
Animal rights groups like Compassion in World Farming are calling for the permanent closure of these markets, arguing that they pose a public health risk. "You’re putting the slaughtering of multiple species in cramped conditions, in dirty conditions, right in a densely populated area," said Matthew Dominguez, the group’s U.S. director.
While avian flu has been found in humans in 13 states, health officials in New York are reassuring the public that the virus poses no immediate threat to human health. State Department of Health Commissioner James V. McDonald has stated that there are no known human cases in the state, and the virus has not shown any signs of human-to-human transmission.
As a precaution, the state has purchased additional seasonal flu vaccines, which may help prevent a potential mix of seasonal and avian flu strains. McDonald emphasized that this is a proactive measure to reduce the risk of a virus emerging that could spread among humans.
One of the most immediate effects of the bird flu outbreak has been on egg prices. As a result of the poultry shortages, eggs have become significantly more expensive, reaching record highs. Some grocery stores in the Capital Region, like Stewart’s Shops and Trader Joe’s, have begun placing limits on the number of eggs customers can purchase to manage the shortage.
The response to the avian flu has been complicated by challenges at the federal level. Ball mentioned that the federal government, under President Donald J. Trump, has faced significant staff reductions, particularly within offices responsible for disease testing. This has added stress to the collaborative efforts between state and federal agencies, as they work together to mitigate the spread of the virus.
Despite these obstacles, New York’s commitment to protecting its livestock, dairy herds, and public health remains strong. Ball stressed that keeping the virus from spreading is a top priority for the state.