Bird Flu In New York State: What To Know
Canada geese are testing positive for H5N1 in counties across New York state. Photo by Zacke Feller on Unsplash.
New York State is experiencing a wave of bird flu cases, shutting down poultry farms and raising prices for eggs across the state.
Avian influenza H5N1, more commonly called bird flu, has been spreading consistently throughout the start of 2025. This particular strain is highly pathogenic, meaning it has a high transmission rate from animal to animal. Once infected, the animal becomes sick very quickly, causing havoc for the poultry industry. So far, 159 million birds have been affected by H5N1.
On Jan. 10, 2025, all live poultry markets in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island were shut down after bird flu was detected in facilities. The order was set to end on Feb. 14 in order to have an adequate amount of time to disinfect the facilities. New York City Mayor Eric Adams made a statement assuring the public that the risk for humans is low.
“There are currently no reported cases of bird flu in humans in our city or state and our health officials are working closely with the state to ensure this continues to be the case. We are taking all the proper precautions to contain this virus and limit its spread,” said Adams.
A little bit north of New York City, 12 Canada geese were found dead at a pond in Mount Pleasant. Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi said in a statement that the geese tested positive for avian flu and advised people to stay aware of the potential risks of interacting with dead geese.
Rockland County announced its first confirmed case of bird flu in a goose on Feb. 6 and the disease raged through a farm in Ulster County at the end of January, killing all but two of the birds on the farm.
Not only does the spread of a highly pathogenic disease cause distress, but the financial repercussions of bird flu are also affecting the public. The increase in the cost of eggs has a direct correlation with the spread of bird flu; as more and more chickens are euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease, the cost of egg production goes up. Prices average around seven dollars a dozen, which is a massive increase compared to the fall, where eggs were between two and three dollars a dozen.
In addition to the price increase, many chains such as Costco and Trader Joe’s have implemented limits on how many cartons of eggs customers can buy, causing frustration among shoppers.
Understandably, these events are distressing to those living in New York State. Many college campuses, including Marist University, are seeing an influx in the amount of Canada geese in the area, causing unease and fear of the bird flu spreading.
Overall, the consensus from medical professionals is that the risk of humans contracting bird flu is low.
The New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse echoed Adams’ reassurances, stating, “We have not seen avian influenza develop the ability to transmit between people. The Department of Health will continue to work closely with the state Department of Agriculture and state Department of Health to ensure that live bird market staff exposed to sick birds receive essential information and receive treatment.”
While the health risk to humans is low, the United States will likely be feeling the repercussions of the mass euthanization of poultry on farms for months to come. In an interview with The New York Times, Brian Moscogiuri, a vice president at a wholesaler called Eggs Unlimited stated, “It could take six months for the market to stabilize.”
The primary recommendation from medical professionals is to avoid contact with any dead or visibly sick birds. For the time being, it is safer to keep a distance from wild birds to avoid any potential contact.