Bird Flu Outbreak Prompts Large-Scale Euthanasia at Long Island Duck Farm

Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, New York, is facing a devastating loss as more than 100,000 ducks will be euthanized following an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The farm, a significant part of Long Island’s fading duck farming industry, has been family-owned and operated since 1908.

President Doug Corwin described the discovery of the illness as heartbreaking. “You constantly monitor your flock − three times a day. One day things looked unusual. I noticed a few lethargic birds that didn’t seem right,” he shared. He added that the outbreak poses a severe threat to the farm’s legacy.

For safety reasons, Suffolk County Health Commissioner Gregson Pigott explained the grim necessity of culling the flock. “Unfortunately, when you have a situation like this where you have a flock that’s infected, the remedy is to put the entire flock down,” he said.

This outbreak comes amid a broader resurgence of bird flu in the U.S. and beyond. The current H5N1 strain, which began spreading widely in 2020, is considered the largest avian flu epidemic in Europe and has since reached Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. In the U.S., the strain was first identified in 2021 and has caused over 138 million poultry deaths across all 50 states.

The impact extends beyond poultry farms, affecting other sectors and even public health. In Georgia, a recent outbreak led to quarantines and suspended poultry activities. In December, a contaminated batch of cat food was recalled after being linked to a bird flu-related cat death. The virus has also contributed to rising egg prices and prompted increased testing for potential spread in dairy herds.

Although primarily a concern for animals, bird flu occasionally infects humans. The first U.S. fatality was reported earlier this month in Louisiana. Globally, bird flu has resulted in 61 human cases in the U.S. since April 2024, according to the CDC.

Video Source: Eyewitness News ABC7NY/Youtube

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