{"id":35905,"date":"2025-02-13T14:06:40","date_gmt":"2025-02-13T14:06:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/?p=35905"},"modified":"2025-02-13T14:06:40","modified_gmt":"2025-02-13T14:06:40","slug":"mayor-adams-announces-city-health-department-precautions-after-birds-test-positive-for-bird-flu","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.vosa.tv\/eng\/archives\/35905","title":{"rendered":"Mayor Adams announces city health department precautions after birds test positive for bird flu"},"content":{"rendered":"

NEWYORK: New York city Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Acting Commissioner Dr. Michelle Morse announced additional steps New York City is taking \u2014\u00a0out of an abundance of caution\u00a0\u2014\u00a0after birds in the city tested positive for H5N1, a type of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Multiple birds have tested positive for H5N1 in New York City at parks and zoos in addition to the positive cases at live bird markets last week.<\/p>\n

The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation is testing dead birds found in public parks for the virus.<\/p>\n

The risk to New Yorkers remains low. There have been no human cases of H5N1 in New York City or elsewhere in the state, and no human-to-human transmission has been detected from H5N1 anywhere in the United States. A small number of agricultural workers with close contact with infected animals in other parts of the country have tested positive H5N1.<\/p>\n

New Yorkers who spot a sick or dead bird should maintain a safe distance and report the sighting.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile birds in New York City have tested positive for the H5N1 virus, I want to assure New Yorkers that the risk to humans at this time remains low,\u201d said\u00a0Mayor Adams.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere 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.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low,\u201d said\u00a0<\/b>DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Morse.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe 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. We are prepared to respond to disease outbreaks, including quickly ramping up testing and treatment, and working closely with providers and community partners to rapidly disseminate accurate information.\u201d<\/p>\n

On Friday, February 7, 2025, live bird markets were shut down by New York state department\u00a0of agriculture and markets\u2019 notice and order for live bird markets.<\/p>\n

The order requires those markets where bird flu was not detected to sell all inventory, complete cleaning and disinfection procedures, and remain closed for three to five days after H5N1 was detected in birds at seven markets in Bronx, Kings, and Queens counties, as well as at markets in Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester counties. The shutdowns are temporary.<\/p>\n

A collaborative effort across local and state agencies is underway to ensure New Yorkers remain safe. DOHMH is working closely with the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation, the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation, the New York state Department of Agriculture and Markets, and the New York state Department of Health to monitor the situation.<\/p>\n

DOHMH is communicating with\u00a0workers at affected markets in New York City where H5N1 has been detected to provide guidance to staff on monitoring for symptoms.\u00a0DOHMH is offering testing and Tamiflu, an antiviral drug, to any staff of a live bird market, even if they are asymptomatic, at no cost and regardless of immigration status.<\/p>\n

How New Yorkers Should Protect\u00a0Themselves\u00a0Against Bird Flu:<\/p>\n