The New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets is implementing new testing requirements for all poultry entering New York’s live bird markets as part of its response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), or the bird flu. This additional measure follows the State’s temporary shutdown of 82 live bird markets on February 7 to facilitate a break in HPAI virus transmission within the markets and further protect animal and public health. All live bird markets that had previously been closed have been cleaned, sanitized, and reopened.
Today’s Notice and Order, which can be found here, requires the following:
For purposes of moving poultry into a live bird market, all poultry shall only originate and move from a source flock, in which a minimum of 30 birds, or all birds for flocks less than 30 birds, aged seven days or older, have tested negative for avian influenza, as described below:
- All gallinaceous poultry and domestic ducks shall be tested using real-time Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (rRT-PCR) method. The date of sample collection shall be within 72 hours prior to the date of entry into the New York live bird marketing system, and the shipment must be accompanied by a copy of the finalized laboratory report indicating that the poultry tested negative for avian influenza.
- Waterfowl, other than domestic ducks, shall be tested using the virus isolation method. Because negative avian influenza virus isolation results are not expected within 72 hours of sample collection, prior written notice and approval for movement of these bird shall be obtained from a Department veterinarian.
- All avian influenza testing described herein must be conducted at a National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.
To report sick birds, unexplained high number of deaths, or sudden drop in egg production, please contact AGM’s Division of Animal Industry at (518) 457-3502 or the USDA at (866) 536-7593.
The Department is also reminding the public that, according to the CDC, cooking poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165˚F kills bacteria and viruses, including avian influenza A viruses.
HPAI in Livestock
While there have been no detections of HPAI in livestock in New York to date, the State’s comprehensive approach is aimed at ensuring the state remains free of HPAI and facilitating early detection. In response to the findings of HPAI in multiple states across the country, New York State is participating in USDA’s National Milk Testing Strategy (NMTS) to facilitate surveillance for HPAI within the nation’s milk supply and dairy herds, entering into a cooperative agreement with USDA outlines the Department’s responsibilities within the NMTS. As of January, the State has been testing raw milk samples collected at every silo containing Grade “A” milk intended for pasteurization at processing facilities receiving Grade “A” bulk raw cow’s milk. Sampling and testing will take place on a monthly basis and comes at no cost to dairy farmers or processors. If detection is found, State inspectors will conduct additional verification sampling and testing, with traceback to the impacted farm if the sample is confirmed positive for HPAI. The NMTS involves five stages that will describe New York State’s HPAI testing activity and status.
Additionally, because raw milk permit holders are not included in the NMTS, as their milk is not intended for pasteurization, Commissioner Ball signed a Notice and Order requiring mandatory monthly testing for HPAI for raw milk permit holders. Together, the Notice and Order and the State’s participation in the NMTS further support the protection and health of New York’s dairy herds and poultry operations, ensuring that the State can identify lactating dairy cattle impacted by HPAI, implement enhanced biosecurity measures to mitigate the risk of virus transmission to other livestock and mammals in the case of a non-negative detection, and continue to safeguard animal and human health.
According to USDA and the FDA, pasteurized milk and pasteurized dairy products remain safe to consume as pasteurization kills harmful microbes and pathogens in milk and there is also no concern regarding the consumption of properly cooked meat products. Find out more about HPAI and milk safety.
New York State has taken multiple preventative measures to prevent the spread of HPAI and protect animal and human health since the first detection of HPAI in dairy cattle in Texas in March 2024. In April, June, and August 2024, the Department issued orders on import requirements for dairy cattle coming into New York as well as testing requirements for lactating dairy cattle entering fairs or exhibitions. These orders continue to remain in place until further notice and require the following:
Effective August 2024, all non-lactating dairy cattle over eighteen months of age, except as applied to non-clinical dairy cattle moving directly to slaughter, originating from states where HPAI has been confirmed in cattle within thirty days, must meet the following requirements upon movement, shipment, or entry into the State of New York:
- For the movement, shipment, or entry into the State of New York of up to 30 non-lactating dairy cattle, each animal must be accompanied by a negative HPAI laboratory test report, conducted from samples collected within the previous 10 days and tested at an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) laboratory.
- For the movement, shipment, or entry into the State of New York of 31 or more non-lactating dairy cattle moved interstate as a group, at least 30 cattle must be accompanied by a negative HPAI report as described above.
- The date of the test, test type, and test results must be recorded on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) accompanying the movement.
Additional import requirements for dairy cattle coming into New York State, first released in April 2024, remain in place. These are:
- importation of dairy cattle from a premises with a confirmed case of HPAI or a premises under investigation as a suspect premises is prohibited;
- dairy cattle imported from affected states must be accompanied by a CVI issued within 10 days prior to entry into the state; and
- CVIs issued for dairy cattle from affected states must include the statement: “All animals identified on the Certificate of Veterinary (CVI) have been examined and do not originate from a premises with a confirmed detection of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or that is currently under investigation as a suspect premises.”
Additionally, in June 2024, the state announced new testing requirements for lactating dairy cattle entering fairs or exhibitions to be tested and show negative results for HPAI within seven days prior to entering a fair, including The Great New York State Fair, county fairs, or other exhibitions. The test must be conducted by an approved National Animal Health Laboratory Network (NAHLN) lab.
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