The order affects roughly 80 markets in New York City and in several nearby counties. Gov. Kathy Hochul described it as a “proactive” step to help curb the spread of bird flu.

New York Gov. Kathy Hochul announced the state is temporarily shutting down all live bird markets in New York City and Westchester, Nassau and Suffolk Counties through February 14 after inspectors discovered seven cases of bird flu in poultry.

O n Feb. 7, New York Governor Kathy Hochul issued an order to temporarily close live bird markets after seven cases of avian influenza, or bird flu, were detected in markets in Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx in the past week. The closures apply to bird markets in New York City, Westchester, Suffolk, and Nassau counties.