A case of avian influenza was identified at a live bird market in Essex County on Friday, according to an announcement from Gov. Phil Murphy‘s office.
About 123 chickens are being euthanized as a result of the positive case of the disease commonly known as bird flu, which is highly contagious among domestic poultry species, officials with the New Jersey Department of Agriculture confirmed in the statement.
The market will be cleaned and disinfected, and then remain closed for an undisclosed period of time before a quarantine is lifted and the flock is restocked, authorities said. The exact location of the market was not identified.
Workers at the market are also being assessed and monitored for exposure and symptoms by local and state health department officials, authorities said.
No live poultry that may have been infected was sold to the public, authorities said.
On May 13, officials with the Department of Agriculture said over 1,000 birds had to be euthanized at another live bird market in Essex County after a bird tested positive for avian influenza, officials said.
The outbreak was contained to the particular market which was temporarily closed until the quarantine was lifted, officials said.
The first positive bird flu case among domestic poultry in New Jersey since 2023 was discovered at a live bird market in Union County in February.
Bird flu is a complex and evolving disease with significant impact to the poultry and dairy industries.
Since the beginning of the most recent outbreaks in poultry and cattle, millions of birds and cattle herds have been affected nationwide.
Avian influenza poses a low risk to humans and most infections occur only after prolonged, close exposure, authorities said.
The CDC has confirmed mild cases in humans, and a fatal one in Louisiana in January 2025.
The virus is killed by heat so properly cooked poultry and eggs headed to at least 165 degree fahrenheit are considered safe to eat.
Stories by Matthew Enuco
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Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com.