Gov. Kathy Hochul announced this morning that she has ordered the temporary shutdown of all live bird markets in New York City, Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk counties.
Inspectors detected seven cases of bird flu in poultry during routine inspections at live bird markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens.
Gov. Hochul says she issued the order out of an abundance of caution. The order is in effect from today through next Friday, Feb. 14.
For the weeklong period, no poultry can be delivered to those markets, the governor said.
"Each unaffected market must sell down all inventory, undergo thorough cleaning and disinfection. And then remain closed for at least 5 days," said Hochul during a news briefing.
Before reopening, the markets will be inspected.
Despite the closures, the governor said there is no immediate public health threat.