New York authorities closed all live bird markets in the city and their suburbs for a week, due to the detection of seven cases of aviar flu.
The authorities ordered the closure of all live bird markets in New York City and some of their suburbs on Friday for a week, after the detection of seven cases of Aviar fluwhich has also affected farms throughout the country, leading to the sacrifice of millions of birds and the increase in egg prices.
Governor Kathy Hochul declared that there is no immediate threat to public health and that the temporary closure of bird markets in the city and their suburbs of Westchester and Long Island is made by caution. No avian flu cases have been detected in New York.
The order was given after birds infected with the virus during routine market inspections of live birds in the districts of Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens of the city of New York were found.
The centers for disease control and prevention have said that the virus represents a low risk to the general public. The agency indicated that there have been 67 confirmed cases of avian flu in humans in the United States, with slight diseases and mainly detected between agricultural workers who were exposed to sick birds or cows daily.
The first death from Aviar Flu in the United States It was reported last month in Louisiana. The authorities indicated that the person was over 65, underlying medical problems and had been in contact with sick and dead birds in a domestic environment.
In New York, live bird markets where the virus was detected must get rid of all birds in a health manner, according to the order of the State. Other bird markets that do not have cases will have to sell the remaining birds, clean and disinfect and then remain closed for at least five days and be inspected by state officials before reopening.
The H5N1 strain of the avian flu has been spreading between wild birds, poultry, cows and other animals. Officials have urged people who come into contact with sick or dead birds to use respiratory and ocular protection and gloves when manipulating poultry.
More than 156 million birds throughout the country have been affected by the outbreak, many in large agricultural operations that have had to sacrifice their entire herds.