The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) today announced that it is implementing new testing requirements for all poultry entering New York’s live bird markets as part of its aggressive, proactive response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or the bird flu. This additional measure follows the State’s temporary shutdown of 82 live bird markets on February 7, 2025 to facilitate a break in HPAI virus transmission within the markets and further protect animal and public health. All live bird markets that had previously been closed have been cleaned, sanitized, and inspected and are now reopen. The State reminds farmers to follow good biosecurity measures and emphasizes that the risk to humans remains low.
New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard A. Ball said, “This new Notice and Order requiring that poultry be tested prior to entering live bird markets in New York State is a common-sense next step to protect animal and human health as we continue to monitor for avian influenza in New York’s poultry as well as our livestock. Following multiple detections of HPAI in live bird markets earlier this month, which resulted in a precautionary temporary shut down and cleaning for a majority of these markets, this Notice and Order strives to get at the source of the virus and prevent it from entering our live bird market system in the first place.”
New York State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said, “The risk of avian influenza to humans remains low. This increased bio surveillance is a proactive measure that will further protect livestock workers and the public, as we remain vigilant to keep the threat of avian influenza at bay.”
New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Interim Commissioner Sean Mahar said, “Thanks to Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State continues aggressive actions to address the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in domestic birds. DEC continues to collaborate closely with our state and federal partners on proactive monitoring and detection measures and we encourage New Yorkers to use our web-based tool to report suspected HPAI outbreaks in wildlife. New Yorkers should follow proper precautions when handling deceased wildlife and visit DEC’s website to learn more about safe handling practices.”
On February 7, Governor Hochul announced the temporary shutdown of 82 live bird markets in New York City and Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties. The order required those markets that did not have any detections of avian influenza to proactively sell down all inventory, complete cleaning and disinfection procedures, and remain closed for a period of five days after cleaning and disinfection. In addition, the Notice and Order further outlined quarantine and depopulation procedures for several markets in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn that did have confirmed detections of avian influenza. The February 7 Notice and Order followed those detections, which were discovered during routine surveillance conducted by AGM. Since then, all live bird markets have undergone cleaning and disinfection and have been inspected for reopening by AGM staff. There were no additional detections of HPAI.
Today’s Notice and Order, which can be found here, requires the following:
For purposes of moving poultry into a live bird market, all poultry shall only originate and move from a source flock, in which a minimum of 30 birds, or all birds for flocks less than 30 birds, aged seven days or older, have tested negative for avian influenza, as described below:
- All gallinaceous poultry and domestic ducks shall be tested using real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) method. The date of sample collection shall be within 72 hours prior to the date of entry into the New York live bird marketing system, and the shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the finalized laboratory report indicating that the poultry tested negative for avian influenza.
- Waterfowl, other than domestic ducks, shall be tested using the virus isolation method. Because negative avian influenza virus isolation results are not expected within 72 hours of sample collection, prior written notice and approval for movement of these bird shall be obtained from a Department veterinarian.
- All avian influenza testing described herein must be conducted at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.
HPAI in Poultry
At Governor Hochul’s direction, AGM, DOH, and DEC continue to collaborate closely on proactive measures to prevent the spread of HPAI and facilitate early detection, as the risk to humans remains low. The New York State Department of Health is also reminding the public that the finding of HPAI in this market does not present an immediate public health concern. Individuals working in the markets will be assessed for potential high-risk exposure and be monitored for symptoms by the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene accordingly. If any become ill, they will be evaluated for infection with avian influenza. Since the start of 2024, there have been 67 human cases of avian influenza in the United States, and none of these have been in New York State.
AGM encourages those involved in poultry production to practice good biosecurity measures and take extra steps to prevent their flocks from becoming infected. All poultry producers, from small backyard to large commercial operations, should review their biosecurity plans and take precautions to protect their birds. Poultry biosecurity materials and checklists can be found on the USDA’s “Defend the Flock” website.
In addition to practicing good biosecurity, poultry owners should keep their birds away from wild ducks and geese and their droppings. Outdoor access for poultry should be limited at this time, particularly as the State continues to see HPAI detections in wild bird populations.
To report sick birds, unexplained high number of deaths, or sudden drop in egg production, please contact AGM’s Division of Animal Industry at (518) 457-3502 or the USDA at (866) 536-7593.
The Department is also reminding the public that, according to the CDC, cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses.
HPAI in Livestock
While there have been no detections of HPAI in livestock in New York to date, the State’s comprehensive approach is aimed at ensuring the state remains free of HPAI and facilitating early detection. In response to the findings of HPAI in multiple states across the country, New York State is participating in USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) to facilitate surveillance for HPAI within the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds, entering into a cooperative agreement with USDA outlines the Department’s responsibilities within the NMTS. As of January, the State has been testing raw milk samples collected at every silo containing Grade “A” milk intended for pasteurization at processing facilities receiving Grade “A” bulk raw cow’s milk. Sampling and testing will take place on a monthly basis and comes at no cost to dairy farmers or processors. If a detection is found, State inspectors will conduct additional verification sampling and testing, with traceback to the impacted farm if the sample is confirmed positive for HPAI. The NMTS involves five stages that will describe New York State’s HPAI testing activity and status.
Additionally, because raw milk permit holders are not included in the NMTS, as their milk is not intended for pasteurization, Commissioner Ball signed a Notice and Order requiring mandatory monthly testing for HPAI for raw milk permit holders. Together, the Notice and Order and the State’s participation in the NMTS further support the protection and health of New York’s dairy herds and poultry operations, ensuring that the State can identify lactating dairy cattle impacted by HPAI, implement enhanced biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of virus transmission to other livestock and mammals in the case of a non-negative detection, and continue to safeguard animal and human health.
According to USDA and the FDA, pasteurized milk and pasteurized dairy products remain safe to consume as pasteurization kills harmful microbes and pathogens in milk and there is also no concern regarding the consumption of properly cooked meat products. Find out more about HPAI and milk safety.
New York State has taken multiple preventative measures to prevent the spread of HPAI and protect animal and human health since the first detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in Texas in March 2024. In April, June, and August 2024, the Department issued orders on import requirements for dairy cattle coming into New York as well as testing requirements for lactating dairy cattle entering fairs or exhibitions. These orders continue to remain in place until further notice and require the following:
Effective August 2024, all non-lactating dairy cattle over eighteen months of age, except as applied to non-clinical dairy cattle moving directly to slaughter, originating from states where HPAI has been confirmed in cattle within thirty days, must meet the following requirements upon movement, shipment, or entry into the State of New York:
- For the movement, shipment, or entry into the State of New York of up to 30 non-lactating dairy cattle, each animal must be accompanied by a negative HPAI laboratory test report, conducted from samples collected within the previous 10 days and tested at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.
- For the movement, shipment, or entry into the State of New York of 31 or more non-lactating dairy cattle moved interstate as a group, at least 30 cattle must be accompanied by a negative HPAI report as described above.
- The date of the test, test type, and test results must be recorded on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) accompanying the movement.
Additional import requirements for dairy cattle coming into New York State, first released in April 2024, remain in place. These are:
- importation of dairy cattle from a premises with a confirmed case of HPAI or a premises under investigation as a suspect premises is prohibited;
- dairy cattle imported from affected states must be accompanied by a CVI issued within 10 days prior to entry into the state; and
- CVIs issued for dairy cattle from affected states must include the statement: “All animals identified on the Certificate of Veterinary (CVI) have been examined and do not originate from a premises with a confirmed detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or that is currently under investigation as a suspect premises.”
Additionally, in June 2024, the state announced new testing requirements for lactating dairy cattle entering fairs or exhibitions to be tested and show negative results for HPAI within seven days prior to entering a fair, including The Great New York State Fair, county fairs, or other exhibitions. The test must be conducted by an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) lab.
USDA offers several producer support programs that are available to all dairy producers as well as certain programs only available to dairy producers with HPAI-positive herds. These programs include tools to support biosecurity planning and implementation as well as financial support programs to offset costs associated with HPAI testing, veterinary expenses, personal protective equipment purchases, milk disposal, and milk losses.
The Department continues to encourage farmers to implement strong biosecurity practices and to be in close contact with veterinarians if they see any signs or symptoms of illness in farm animals.
If any of these symptoms are noted, veterinarians are urged to call the Department at (518) 457-3502 for sampling guidance. USDA continues to study how the virus is believed to be spread. Read the National Epidemiological Brief.
Source : ny.gov