New York Monitors HPAI in Wild Birds and Poultry Farms

By Blake Jackson

New York State is actively monitoring and encouraging testing to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), especially as the disease continues to appear in the wild bird population.

Recently, the Putnam County Department of Health detected HPAI in a wild goose found in Brewster, and the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the presence of HPAI in a poultry farm in Suffolk County.

In response, the state is urging both commercial and hobby poultry farmers to strengthen biosecurity measures to limit the spread of the virus. While HPAI poses minimal risk to human health, officials remain vigilant.

“These detections are always going to be concerning, but we will continue to do all we can to safeguard our state’s flocks and livestock. The protocols we have in place, and continue to update, for early detection in poultry and livestock are working, helping us to identify cases and deploy resources to help," said New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard A. Ball.

"We encourage everyone who keeps poultry to be vigilant about minimizing their birds’ exposure to the virus and to wild bird populations and practice good biosecurity measures.”

“While there is no immediate threat to public health and no known cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in humans in New York State, I urge everyone who has regular contact with livestock and wild birds to remain vigilant and take precautions by wearing personal protective equipment when you’re in contact with these animals,” said New York State Department of Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald.

In both cases, the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) is collaborating with USDA APHIS on a joint response. The AGM and USDA are conducting additional surveillance and testing near the affected Suffolk County farm.

No birds from the affected flock will enter the food supply, and cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F kills bacteria and viruses.

Poultry owners should contact AGM’s Division of Animal Industry at (518) 457-3502 or USDA at (866) 536-7593.

Photo Credit: gettyimages-branex