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Governor Kathy Hochul has directed New York state agencies to take proactive measures to prevent the spread of bird flu, particularly on farms. This comes after the detection of avian influenza in poultry on a farm in Suffolk County and in wild and domestic birds at a learning center in Putnam County. The state is urging organizations in contact with wild birds to remain vigilant for signs of illness in domestic animals.
Farms are encouraged to practice biosecurity measures to prevent the spread of the virus. Governor Hochul emphasized that while bird flu can spread quickly among wild birds and poultry, there have been no documented human cases in New York, and the risk to humans remains low.
Governor Hochul stated, "At my direction, New York State is continuing to monitor for HPAI and take proactive measures to keep our communities safe."
The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is working closely with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to monitor and respond to these detections. The state has implemented new testing initiatives on dairy farms and issued orders on import requirements for dairy cattle to prevent the spread of the virus.
Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott confirmed that the farm in Suffolk County is under quarantine, and preventive measures are being taken to protect workers.
The state continues to urge poultry producers to review their biosecurity plans and take precautions to protect their birds. For more information, visit the USDA's "Defend the Flock" website.