Governor Kathy Hochul announced this week the temporary closure of all live bird markets in several downstate counties after seven different markets found positive cases of bird flu, which has been evolving in ways that are worrying to human and animal health experts alike. 

With the stroke of a pen, McCoy became the latest in a line of public officials from across the country to acknowledge that, while biosolids have been used to fertilize farms for years, recent research has raised concerns about health and environmental issues

Only one death has been associated with bird flu in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, although there have been 67 confirmed human cases of the disease.

The $1.5 million announced on Friday follows $2.3 million the county awarded to 14 community organizations to stem the tide of opioid addiction. The money from opioid settlements with drug companies that promoted opioids is expected to continue through 2039, said Stephen Giordano, the county’s mental health commissioner.

Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy announced on Friday that he and the Albany County Legislature had approved “an intermunicipal agreement to create the Albany County Healthcare Consortium.” But this is just the first step needed for six municipalities and three school districts that are considering being part of the consortium if, indeed, the costs turn out to be lower. McCoy is pictured here at Voorheesville’s Ruck March on Nov. 10.

Genoa first partnered with Albany County in 2019 to provide on-site pharmacy services for the county’s Department of Mental Health, causing an uproar among area pharmacies who felt the partnership was impacting their business, and had been forged in a way that was, at the very least, uncouth.  

“Mosquitoes, once a nuisance, are now a threat,” said Commissioner James McDonald. “I urge all New Yorkers to prevent mosquito bites by using insect repellents, wearing long-sleeved clothing and removing free-standing water near their homes. Fall is officially here, but mosquitoes will be around until we see multiple nights of below freezing temperatures.”

Historically, from 1999 to 2023, according to the CDC, Albany County has had an incidence of 0.03 per 100,000 of population for West Nile virus human neuroinvasive disease.

As fair season ramps up, New York State Agriculture and Markets Commissioner Richard Ball spoke with The Enterprise about bird flu, which has been infecting dairy herds in other parts of the country, and has led to testing requirements for animals shown at fairs and other measures that are helping New York ward off danger. 

The wastewater plant in Guilderland, which serves about 21,281 people, had a “high” reading on July 3. High detection levels correlate with more than 50 cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 population in the past week.