New York City Live Poultry Markets Closed Due to Bird Flu

Feb 7 (Reuters) - New York state officials have temporarily closed all live poultry markets in New York City and three suburban counties after detecting bird flu at seven markets last week, according to a notice on Friday. The virus has killed more than 156 million chickens, turkeys and other birds nationwide since an outbreak in poultry began in 2022. Losses of laying hens have reduced the supply of eggs, sending prices soaring and prompting restaurants to raise prices. Bird flu has also infected about two-thirds of dairy herds in California, the biggest milk-producing state, and nearly 70 people since April. In New York state, a five-day closure of live poultry markets in New York City and three counties — Westchester, Suffolk and Nassau — will allow them to be cleaned and disinfected to help prevent the spread of the disease, New York Gov. Kathy Hochul said in a statement. Avian flu has been found at poultry markets in Queens, the Bronx and Brooklyn since Jan. 31, according ...