Governor Hochul has issued a directive for the sudden closure of significant markets within the city, a move described as a precautionary measure. This decision comes in light of the alarming discovery of seven cases of bird flu reported in Queens, the Bronx, and Brooklyn during the initial week of the current month. Hochul emphasized that the safety of New Yorkers remains her utmost concern, asserting that all state agencies have been mobilized to utilize every resource available to ensure that every necessary step is taken to minimize the potential risk to the public.
Over the weekend, the Wildlife Conservation Society made a distressing announcement regarding the demise of three ducks at the Queens Zoo due to avian influenza. Additionally, the Bronx Zoo reported the death of at least 12 birds suspected of having been exposed to the virus. However, conclusive evidence of the cause of death is pending confirmation through laboratory testing. As a safety measure, vulnerable bird species have been relocated to secure areas within parks over the past two weeks. The conservation society’s veterinarians and curators are maintaining close vigilance over the situation in collaboration with local, state, and federal authorities.
Concerns surrounding the escalating cases of bird flu in the United States are mounting, with repercussions being felt in various sectors. The surge in cases has led to a significant increase in egg prices, exacerbating the situation further. A recent incident in Pennsylvania witnessed the theft of 100,000 eggs, amounting to an estimated value of approximately $40,000. In response to these developments, New York Attorney General Letitia James issued a stern warning to businesses against engaging in price gouging practices, emphasizing that the poultry industry’s challenges should not be exploited to unjustly inflate prices.
Beyond affecting poultry products, a novel strain of bird flu has been identified in dairy cows, introducing a new dimension to the ongoing crisis. The U.S. Department of Agriculture disclosed the detection of a distinct strain in Nevada cows for the first time through genome sequencing of milk samples. The Nevada Department of Agriculture promptly initiated an on-farm investigation to contain potential spread, aligning with the USDA’s efforts to address the emerging situation. Studies have indicated that the conventional commercial pasteurization process effectively deactivates the virus, ensuring the safety of milk for consumption.
