Bird flu found markets in Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens, Hochul says

NEW YORK - The spread of H5N1 bird flu continues, this time in parts of New York City.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul says inspectors detected seven cases of the virus in poultry at live bird markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn, and Queens over the past week.

As a precaution, the state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets has ordered all live poultry markets in New York City to close for seven days.

What this means:

Hochul said that in order to "thwart further contamination," all live poultry markets in New York City, Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties will remain closed until Jan. 14.

Infected flocks will be culled, and unaffected markets must sell off inventory and undergo thorough disinfection before reopening. No poultry deliveries will be allowed during the shutdown.

Despite these measures, Hochul emphasized there is no immediate health risk. "People should not be scared," she said. "This is not a public health emergency."

State officials say these steps are necessary to curb the virus and protect consumers and the poultry industry.

Egg prices soar as bird flu outbreak worsens

Why you should care:

The USDA reported 13 million bird flu cases in poultry last month, forcing many farms to euthanize entire flocks. The supply shortage has driven up egg prices.

Egg prices have jumped 36.8% nationally in the past year. On Long Island, residents are now paying up to $7.24 per dozen, up 52 cents from last week. Experts say the next few weeks will determine if supplies recover or if further shortages and price hikes loom.

Long Island duck farm facing uncertain future

Local perspective:

The Crescent Duck Farm, Long Island’s last commercial duck farm, announced Friday it had culled 100,000 birds due to bird flu.

National Egg Shortage due to Bird Flu, sign on empty shelf at supermarket, Queens, New York. (Photo by: Lindsey Nicholson/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images)

"We’re just stunned right now," said Doug Corwin, 66, whose family has owned the 140-acre farm since the 1640s. "It’s a very, very sad time. We’re trying our best to work our way through this, one step at a time."

Corwin was forced to lay off 47 of the farm’s 75 workers as revenue cratered.

"If duck farming isn’t an option, I’m not sure what we’d do," he said. "We’re not really set up for anything else."

Long Island was once a hub for duck farming, thanks to its freshwater streams, mild climate, and proximity to major East Coast cities.

Crescent Duck Farm has been the island’s lone remaining operation for the better part of a decade, as higher operating costs, tougher regulations and increasing suburban sprawl took their toll.

What's next:

Experts say the coming weeks will determine whether egg supplies stabilize or if more shortages and price increases are on the way.

The FDA says it’s unlikely eggs from infected poultry are reaching stores but advises cooking eggs to 165 degrees for safety.