NEW YORK STATE — New testing requirements for all poultry entering New York’s live bird markets has been implemented by he New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets (AGM) as part of its response to the outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), aka the bird flu. This additional measure follows the state’s temporary shutdown of 82 live-bird markets on February 7, to facilitate a break in HPAI virus transmission within the markets and further protect animal and public health. All live-bird markets that had previously been closed have been cleaned, sanitized and inspected and are now reopened. The state reminds farmers to follow good biosecurity measures and emphasizes that the risk to humans remains low.