(Bloomberg) -- New York Governor Kathy Hochul temporarily closed all live poultry markets in New York City, Westchester County and Long Island after seven cases of avian flu, including at least five in the city, were identified by state health inspectors.

The move on Friday came after at least one case was identified in Queens last month and additional cases were discovered on Monday and Tuesday at markets in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. New York City, Long Island and Westchester are home to nearly 80 live poultry markets.

The temporary shutdown is a precautionary measure and the risk of viral spread to humans remains low, officials said. The aim is to curb the spread of the highly contagious flu while preserving an already tight inventory, which has led to an uptick in egg prices.

“Avian influenza viruses only present a wider risk if the virus develops the ability to transmit between people – which we have not seen,” Michelle Morse, New York City Health Department acting commissioner, said in a statement.

Bird markets without identified cases were ordered to sell down remaining inventory, clean and disinfect facilities and remain closed for five days after the cleaning process. Markets with identified cases will have to kill off some inventory and pass a cleaning and disinfection inspection by a state agriculture and markets health inspector. Live poultry markets deemed safe for reopening can resume operations on Feb. 14.

In January, Crescent Duck Farm on Long Island was ordered to kill nearly 100,000 ducks after an outbreak was discovered there. Crescent’s ducks are a staple on several high-end New York City restaurant menus.

The current strain of bird flu has killed close to 150 million birds in the US since 2022.