Suffolk County, New York – More than 100,000 ducks are being euthanized at a commercial farm on Long Island following the discovery of bird flu. According to the Suffolk County Department of Health, the farm owner observed signs of illness in the flock prior to testing.
In a release, the agency said:
The farm owner reported signs of illness in his flock early last week and test results from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed the detection of H5N1 on Friday, January 17.
Dr. Gregson Pigott, Suffolk County Health Commissioner said:
“The risk to public health is minimal as the virus at this point is not transmissible among humans. A full investigation is underway because there is some potential for transmission of the H5N1 bird flu from the infected birds to individual farm workers who had high-risk exposures.”
As reported by ABC News, the outbreak was found at Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, the last commercial duck farm on Long Island. Operations have been halted.
To report sick or dead birds, call the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets at (518) 457-3502 for poultry, or the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation at (518) 478-2203 for wild birds.
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