New York’s Staten Island — Although two New York counties have reported cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also referred to as bird flu, state officials claim there is still little risk to people due to continuous preventative measures.
Following the confirmation of HPAI in poultry on a Suffolk County farm and in a number of wild and domestic birds at a Putnam County learning facility, Governor Kathy Hochul declared on Tuesday that steps are being taken to stop the spread of bird flu and aid in early detection.
New York State is keeping an eye out for HPAI and taking preventative action to keep our communities safe under my command, Hochul stated. Even though there is still little risk to the public’s health, I urge everyone in New York, especially those who often interact with wild birds and poultry, to be on guard and take the appropriate precautions to safeguard our state.
In order to stop the virus from spreading, state farms have been advised to implement biosecurity measures. Additionally, employees of organizations that interact with wild birds have been reminded to keep an eye out for and report any symptoms of illness in their domestic animals.
Although bird flu may spread swiftly among wild birds and poultry, officials said there is still little risk to humans because there haven’t been any confirmed cases in the state.
Dr. James McDonald, commissioner of the New York State Department of Health, stated, “We are staying vigilant and are working closely with our state and local partners to minimize the risk to people who have or may come into contact with infected animals as Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza continues to be detected in New York State.”
The State Department of Health will continue to provide tools and guidance to farmers and other industry experts who interact with wild birds. “We will continue to monitor these detections in animals, including livestock and poultry, to assess any potential risks to public health and safety, even though the risk to humans is still low,” McDonald continued.
It has been recommended that poultry owners restrict their birds’ access to the outdoors and keep them away from wild ducks, geese, and their droppings.
In response to the HPAI outbreak in animals in other states, the state has also instituted additional testing programs on dairy farms.
New Yorkers are encouraged to call the USDA at (866) 536-7593 or the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) Division of Animal Industry at (518) 457-3502 to report sick birds, an unusually high number of deaths, or a rapid decline in egg production.
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