Bird flu likely behind bird deaths at NYC zoos
Photo via WikiCommons
Bird flu has hit New York City zoos, with three ducks at the Queens Zoo and 12 more birds at the Bronx Zoo dying after probable exposure to the highly contagious virus. As first reported by the New York Times, the Wildlife Conservation Society, which manages the zoos, has moved vulnerable bird species to protected areas and limited exposure of other animals to wild birds. The deaths come as Gov. Kathy Hochul ordered all live bird markets in the five boroughs to temporarily close to curb the outbreak of the virus, which has affected roughly 156 million commercial, backyard, and wild birds nationwide since January 2022.
Under the order issued by the state’s Department of Agriculture and Markets last week, all live bird markets that have not detected any bird flu cases must sell their inventories and disinfect their operations. Markets that have detected cases must follow state guidelines for the quarantine and depopulation of their infected stock. Bird markets will be closed through February 14.
“Safeguarding public health is all about being proactive, and New York State is continuing our coordinated effort to monitor for the Avian Influenza,” Hochul said in a press release.
“My top priority will always be to keep New Yorkers safe, and I have directed our state agencies to use all available resources to ensure we are taking every measure necessary to keep the risk to the public low.”
The illness poses minimal risk to the general public and is not known to spread between humans, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As a precaution, the Wildlife Conservation Society, which operates the Queens and Bronx zoos as well as the Central Park Zoo, Prospect Park Zoo, and New York Aquarium, has moved vulnerable bird species to isolated areas within its parks. It has also restricted other animals’ contact with wild birds, particularly waterfowl, which are known carriers of the virus.
“We have assessed and reviewed our protocols regarding risk to our birds from avian influenza,” WCS said in a statement to the Times. “Our veterinarians and curators continue to closely monitor the situation in the region and are collaborating with city, state and federal agencies.”
The Queens and Bronx Zoos remain open, as the WCS emphasizes the low risk of visitors encountering zoo birds and being exposed to the virus.
A new strain of the flu has also been detected in dairy cows. The flu was detected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in Nevada cows for the first time through “genome sequencing” of milk, according to NBC News.
Nevada’s Department of Agriculture is conducting an on-farm investigation and working to prevent the virus’ spread. Herds of cows in two counties have been quarantined due to bird flu detections.
The virus has caused the price of eggs to skyrocket across the country. Over the past year, the average price of a dozen eggs has increased by 50 percent. More than 13 million hens have been lost or killed since December as a result of the outbreak, according to the Agriculture Department’s latest Egg Markets Overview.
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