The Agriculture Department confirmed outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAi) in adjoining Ulster and Dutchess counties in upstate New York, about 80 miles north of New York City along the Hudson River. The USDA has confirmed 12 other cases, all in the eastern half of the nation, since Feb. 8.
“High path” can quickly wipe out a flock of birds, so agricultural officials take quick and ruthless action to stop its spread, including the culling of all birds in the infected flock. Fifty million birds, mostly egg-laying hens and turkeys, died in an HPAI epidemic in 2014 and 2015 that drove up egg prices in grocery stores.
The USDA said the outbreak in Ulster County was in “captive wild birds (non-poultry)” and the outbreak in Dutchess County involved “backyard mixed species (non-poultry).” Poughkeepsie is the county seat of Dutchess County and Kingston in the county seat of Ulster County
On Feb. 19, the USDA said bird flu was found in Suffolk County, at the eastern end of Long Island. That outbreak was described as “backyard pet chickens (non-poultry).”
Indiana has the largest number of HPAI outbreaks, all on turkey farms. The state Board of Animal Health says five flocks were infected. The USDA has confirmed four of those cases and has not announced a conclusion about the fifth.