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#18,731
The link between live bird markets (LBMs) and the spread (and reassortment of) avian flu strains has been long established. Eleven years ago, in CDC: Risk Factors Involved With H7N9 Infection we looked at a case-control study conducted by an international group of scientists, including researchers from both the Chinese and the US CDC that concluded.Exposures to poultry in markets were associated with A(H7N9) virus infection, even without poultry contact. China should consider permanently closing live poultry markets or aggressively pursuing control measures to prevent spread of this emerging pathogen.
While standards can vary greatly between countries, LBMs bring together large quantities of birds of varying species (chickens, ducks, geese, quail, and others) - often imported from different farms - which are housed in cramped quarters, and then slaughtered (and sometimes mechanically de-feathered) in open air booths as thousands of people walk by.
A few past blogs illustrate the risks:
China has made numerous attempts over the years to close their live poultry markets (see 2009's China Announced Plans To Shut Down Live Poultry Markets In Many Cities), which have been met with considerable resistance.
While less common than in Asia and the Middle East, the United States has a significant number of live bird markets, particularly in the mid-Atlantic region (New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania). In 2021's Live Bird Markets of the Northeastern United States by Jarra F Jagne, DVM, DACPV , Joy Bennett, DVM, MPH, DACVPM 2, Eireann Collins, DVM, the authors wrote:
The live bird marketing system (LBMS) in the Northeastern United States (US) consists of a complex system of production flocks, dealers/haulers and live bird markets (LBMs). The States of New York (NY), Pennsylvania (PA) and New Jersey (NJ) have the most active systems with New York State having the most markets presently at 87. The states of Massachusetts, Maine and Connecticut have very few markets.
Live bird markets serve mainly ethnic immigrant populations in large urban centers of Northeastern states. The markets are important in the epidemiology of avian influenza viruses (AIV) especially H5 and H7 strains that have zoonotic potential and an effect on trade with United States trading partners.
Since the arrival of H5N1 in late 2021, the USDA has reported 54 outbreaks in live markets across the country (in 6 states; NY, NJ, PA, FL, VA, CA). Of those, 62% (n=34) have been reported in the first 5 months of 2025, with the vast majority (n=23) coming from New York State.
Late yesterday, New Jersey's Governor's Office released the following statement on their 6th outbreak of 2025, in a live bird market in Essex County. I'll have a postscript after the break.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Confirmed in Essex County Live Bird Market
Posted on - 05/23/2025
TRENTON – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) and the New Jersey Department of Agriculture’s (NJDA) Division of Animal Health have confirmed a new Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) poultry case in an Essex County live bird market. The disease response is being coordinated between State and Federal partners.
The risk of HPAI to the general public remains low, and no live poultry were sold to the public that may have been infected. HPAI is highly contagious and often fatal in domestic poultry species.
State and Federal partners are taking prompt action to prevent the spread of disease. Depopulation of nearly 123 birds is underway at the market. After cleaning and disinfection, the market will remain temporarily closed for a prescribed period before the quarantine is lifted and they are restocked.
Individuals working in the markets are being assessed for exposures and will be monitored for symptoms by the local health department and New Jersey Department of Health. If any of the exposed individuals develop compatible symptoms, they will be evaluated for HPAI immediately.
Poultry owners, industry workers, and the general public are reminded to take precautionary measures to ensure the maintenance of a healthy flock.
HPAI poses a low risk to the general public and human infections have most often occurred after close or lengthy unprotected contact (such as not wearing gloves, respiratory protection, or eye protections) with infected birds or dairy cattle, or with places that the infected birds or animals have touched. No instances of sustained human-to-human transmission have been observed. Properly cooked poultry and eggs to at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit are also considered safe to eat.
Individuals who have had close, unprotected contact with infected birds should monitor themselves for symptoms for 10 days following their last exposure. Symptoms may include fever, respiratory signs (cough, sore throat, difficulty breathing) eye redness or irritation, headaches, muscle or body aches, and diarrhea. If symptoms develop, individuals should seek healthcare and notify their healthcare provider of the potential exposure.
HPAI is highly contagious and often fatal in domestic poultry species. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern.
Signs of HPAI in poultry can include:
- Sudden death
- Decrease in feed or water consumption
- Respiratory signs such as coughing, sneezing, nasal discharge
- Swelling around the eyes
- Open-mouth breathing
- Darkening of the comb/wattles
- Reddening of the shanks or feet
- Decreased egg production
- Lethargy
HPAI spreads through contact with bodily secretions, including feces, ocular, nasal, or oral secretions from infected birds. The virus can spread on vehicles, equipment, shoes, etc. Practicing good biosecurity can help prevent the spread of HPAI onto a farm.
Those biosecurity practices include:
HPAI is a reportable disease. Any individual who gains knowledge or suspects the existence of the disease in poultry/birds should notify this office without delay. Deceased birds suspected of having Avian Influenza should be double-bagged and stored appropriately for testing. Do not expose dead poultry to the environment, other poultry, or wildlife/wild birds. Wash your hands after handling sick or dead birds.
- Eliminating exposure of domestic birds to wild birds. Minimizing standing water and extra feed in the environment that might attract wild birds.
- Avoiding contact with other poultry.
- Keeping a specific set of shoes and clothing for tending to poultry. Disposable boot covers or a foot bath that is changed regularly are other measures that can be used.
- Minimizing the number of people who visit the birds.
- Avoiding sharing equipment with other flocks and using appropriate disinfectants for equipment that must come onto a farm.
- PPE is available at each county’s Rutgers Cooperative Extension Office. The county office contact information can be found at https://njaes.rutgers.edu/county/.
If you suspect HPAI in livestock, please alert the New Jersey Department of Agriculture, Division of Animal Health at 609-671-6400.
If you suspect HPAI in a human, contact the local health department. Local health department information can be found at www.localhealth.nj.gov.
- For additional information about the disease and outreach materials, go to: https://www.nj.gov/H5N1/
- https://www.nj.gov/agriculture/divisions/ah/
- https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/animal-disease-information/avian/avian-influenza/ai
Until three years ago, HPAI H5 was not endemic in North America, which greatly reduced (but didn't completely eliminate) the risks of avian flu transmission in live bird markets (see 2016's H5 Avian Flu Reported In NE U.S. LBMs (Live Bird Markets) - UPDATED).
In 2016's Interventions in live poultry markets for the control of avian influenza: A systematic review Vittoria Offeddu , Benjamin J. Cowling, and J.S. Malik Peiris laid out the risks of avian influenza from live bird markets, reviewed some of the possible interventions, and concluded:
Highlights
- Avian influenza viruses (AIVs) can infect humans. Bird-to-human transmission is particularly intense in live poultry markets.
- Periodic rest days, overnight depopulation or sale bans of certain species significantly reduce AIV-circulation in the markets.
- Market closure would lastingly reduce the risk of animal and human infection.
In countries where home refrigeration is less common, the ability to buy freshly killed poultry is often viewed as a necessity. Larger, more modern cities like Hong Kong have gone to great lengths to regulate and restrict live bird markets, and earlier this year, Shanghai Banned Live Poultry Sales.
Over the past 3 years the threat from H5N1 has grown markedly in the Western Hemisphere. Practices (like fur farming, letting your cat run free outdoors, or visiting an LBM) that were presumably less dangerous a few short years ago are arguably far more dangerous now.
Change is never easy. Our bias is that tomorrow will be pretty much like yesterday. But we either find ways to adapt to this `new normal', or we run the very real risk that the virus will adapt to us instead.
