A devastating bird flu outbreak at Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, Long Island, has led to the euthanization of its entire flock of over 100,000 ducks. The H5N1 outbreak was confirmed on January 17 and will take about a week to complete. Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott stated that the remedy is to put down the entire flock due to the risk of human-to-human transmission.
Despite the concerns, health officials say the risk to the public is minimal, with only sporadic cases reported. Dr. Sharon Nachman from Stony Brook Children’s Hospital noted that even in these cases, the disease has not spread to other families or contacts. Health officials are taking precautions, including testing and offering prophylactic measures such as Tamiflu and Tamivir.
The outbreak is a significant loss for Crescent Duck Farm, which has operated since 1908 and was previously profiled by Eyewitness News in 2019. The farm’s owner, Doug Corwin, has expressed concerns about the potential impact of bird flu on society, particularly if it were to mutate into a pandemic.
Experts warn that while so far there has been no human-to-human spread, officials are still taking precautions and monitoring the situation closely.
Source: https://abc7ny.com/post/crescent-duck-farm-aquebogue-li-forced-kill-100000-ducks-amid-bird-flu-outbreak/15826552