Avian flu strikes close to home in Riverhead, as its spread devastates poultry flocks, reduces egg production across U.S.

The growing impacts of avian flu around the globe were felt close to home this month with the outbreak at the Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue.

The last remaining duck farm on Long Island was forced to cease operations — temporarily, its owners hope — and euthanize its entire flock of roughly 99,000 birds.

‘Bird flu’ outbreak shutters Long Island’s last duck farm, as culling of 99,000 birds is underway

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, an influenza type A virus (H5N1), is carried by wild birds, which can be infected with the virus but show no signs of illness, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wild birds can carry the disease to new areas when migrating, potentially exposing domestic poultry to the virus. There is currently no treatment for the H5N1 virus, which can wipe out entire flocks within a matter of days.  For that reason, euthanizing flocks is generally the only way to ensure containment and protect other birds. 

Since just the first of this year, outbreaks at egg-producing farms have led to the loss of at least 13 million birds. In the last three months, 30 million laying hens have been killed, according to the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota.

The loss of laying hens has impacted egg supplies and caused the wholesale price of eggs to spike across the country. Retail shoppers are finding short supplies and historically high prices. The USDA said the price of eggs may rise 20% this year.

Since the current outbreak of H5N1 in the U.S. began in February 2022, it has affected 148.5 million birds across all 50 states and Puerto Rico.

In addition to birds, H5N1 viruses have affected 949 dairy cow herds, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, over 730 of them in California. H5N1 viruses have been detected in other mammals, including wild and domestic cats, bears, wild canine, raccoons, rodents, skunk, fox, coyotes and more. The virus has also sickened marine mammals, including seals and bottlenose dolphins.

Humans have been infected as well, though there has been no known human to human transmission. Human infections have so far been linked to working at poultry farms or caring for backyard flocks. Human infections have been confirmed in four states: Washington, Arizona, California and Delaware. 

Avian flu has been found in raw milk, prompting the FDA to advise against consuming raw (unpasteurized) milk. Milk is pasteurized by heating it to a high temperature for a short period of time to kill bacteria.

The risk to the general public from these viruses remains low, the Centers for Disease Control said.

Researchers, public health officials and healthcare providers are monitoring the situation closely for any sign of genetic changes that render the virus transmissible from human to human.

Peconic Bay Medical Center in Riverhead and Northwell Health’s infectious disease team are continuously monitoring the progress and spread of H5N1 Bird Flu throughout the country, PBMC Executive Director Amy Loeb said yesterday. 

“While there have not been any confirmed cases in New York State, we are diligent in following the necessary protocols in place that include guidance from the New York State Health Department, and our teams are in communication with the New York State Health Department as lab surveillance is continuing,” Loeb said. 

Protocols include testing whenever a patient exhibits influenza symptoms and reporting the results to the state level, she said.

Staff at the Riverhead community hospital was “saddened to learn about the devastating impact this disease has had on Crescent Duck Farm,” Loeb said. 

In light of the outbreak at Crescent, PBMC will continue to monitor the situation closely through community surveillance, Loeb said, and will remain in contact with local and state health departments. 

Anyone with concerns or questions is encouraged to reach out to their primary care doctor, Loeb said.  

H5N1 bird flu viruses were first detected in 1996 in domestic waterfowl in southern China, according to the CDC. In 2003 H5N1 spread across Asia, where there were widespread poultry outbreaks. In 2005 , the virus spread through wild birds, to Africa, the Middle East and Europe.

A new H5N1 virus emerged in 2021 and spread by wild birds to Canada and the United States. In February 2022, the start of the current outbreak in the U.S., H5N1 began cursing outbreaks in commercial and backyard poultry flocks. 

Infections in humans remain rare and sporadic, according to the CDC, which reports a confirmed total of 66 human cases in the U.S. There has been one death associated with H151bird flu infection. Forty human cases were  people associated with dairy herd operations, 23 were people in poultry farm and culling operations. The person who died was exposed outside of commercial operations. There have been three cases with unknown exposure source.

Editor’s note: this article has been amended to correct an editing error resulting in a misstatement that avian flu has been contracted by humans from raw milk. There have been no human infections from raw milk. The virus has been found in raw milk, prompting an FDA advisory against consuming raw milk.