Outbreak Shuts Down Suffolk County’s Largest Duck Farm
A devastating outbreak of the H5N1 bird flu has brought operations at Crescent Duck Farm in Aquebogue, Suffolk County, to a standstill. Confirmed on January 17, the outbreak forced the family-owned farm, which had been in operation since 1908, to euthanize its flock of over 100,000 ducks. According to Suffolk County Health Commissioner Dr. Gregson Pigott, this grim measure is a mandated response to prevent the spread of the highly contagious virus.
“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,” Dr. Pigott explained. Crescent Duck Farm, one of the last commercial duck farms in the county, faces the heartbreaking loss of not only its current operations but also a century-long legacy.
Minimal Risk to Public Health but Precautions in Place
Despite the outbreak’s significant impact on the farm, health officials stress that the risk of the virus spreading to humans remains low. Dr. Sharon Nachman of Stony Brook Children’s Hospital reassured the public, stating, “Yes, we’ve seen sporadic cases, but even in those cases, it hasn’t spread to families or other contacts. It’s not getting into human hosts.”
Still, authorities are taking precautions in the Aquebogue area to ensure public safety. Workers in contact with the infected flock are being tested for H5N1 and offered antiviral medications like Tamiflu as preventive measures. Bird flu, which has been detected in wild birds and poultry across New York since 2022, continues to be closely monitored by health officials.
Concerns Over Future Pandemic Potential
The mass euthanization process is expected to take about a week to complete. While the immediate focus is on containing the outbreak, animal welfare advocates and health experts are warning of potential long-term risks. John Di Leonardo of Humane Long Island expressed concern about the virus mutating in factory farms, potentially leading to human-to-human transmission. “If this disease mutates… we’re looking at the next pandemic,” he said.
This outbreak is yet another challenge for Crescent Duck Farm, which weathered the economic strain of the COVID-19 pandemic in recent years. For owner Doug Corwin, the loss of the farm’s entire flock represents not just a financial blow but the erasure of generations of hard work.
As authorities continue to combat the Bird Flu outbreak, they emphasize the importance of vigilance while reassuring the public that, for now, the risk of a larger health crisis remains under control.
