ALBANY – The State Department of Agriculture and Markets has issued a ban on all live fowl shows and exhibitions to help prevent the spread of the highly pathogenic avian flu to the state’s poultry population.
Commissioner Richard Ball issued the order as a result of the continued spread of strains of the flu in the United States including detections in New York.
The current outbreak has impacted 17 states so far and is rapidly spreading, he said.
The state ban is in effect until further notice.
Officials said the current avian influenza strains are not a threat to humans.
To date, four flocks in New York have tested positive for avian flu, which has also been detected in wild birds, including snow geese and wild ducks.
The state ag department is working with the US Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Health Inspection Service on a point incident response and is also collaborating with the state departments of health and environmental conservation.
The detections in New York prompt reminders for commercial and hobby poultry farmers to increase their biosecurity measures to help prevent the spread of the disease.
Poultry owners should keep their birds away from wild ducks and geese and their droppings. Outdoor access for poultry should be limited at this time, the state said.
