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 — out of an abundance of caution — after birds in the city tested positive for H5N1, a type of avian influenza, also known as bird flu. 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. The New York state Department of Environmental Conservation is testing dead birds found in public parks for the virus.
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. New Yorkers who spot a sick or dead bird should maintain a safe distance and report the sighting. For poultry, call the New York state Department of Agriculture and Markets at (518) 457-3502. For wild birds, report online to the New York state Department of Environmental Conservation.
“While 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,” said Mayor Adams. “There 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.”
“The current risk to New Yorkers of bird flu remains low,” said DOHMH Acting Commissioner Dr. Morse. “We 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.”
