State Agriculture Department orders temporary ban on poultry, egg exhibitions at local fairs

A recent nationwide outbreak of avian influenza has led the state Department of Agriculture to temporarily ban the presence and display of poultry and eggs at county and local fairs in Pennsylvania.

The ban takes effect April 16 and will last for 60 days or until the department lifts the order. The ban applies to the 108 county and local fairs that receive state funding under the Pennsylvania Agriculture Fair Act.

As of April 12, cases of infected birds in commercial and backyard poultry flocks had been confirmed in 26 states, including several surrounding Pennsylvania. Genetic analysis of samples taken in other U.S. states has shown that the virus is being spread by infected wild birds.

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is highly contagious and often fatal to birds.

“Pennsylvania’s agricultural fairs are important educational events for our youth,” said Ag Secretary Russell Redding Thursday. “But the risk to our poultry farmers and our economy outweighs the benefit of displaying poultry at fairs when avian influenza is an imminent threat.”

Pennsylvania has not had a confirmed case of avian influenza, also known as bird flu, in commercial or backyard poultry since an outbreak in 1983-84.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the recent avian influenza detections do not present an immediate public health concern and no human cases of avian influenza viruses have been detected in the U.S.

Poultry and eggs are safe to consume if stored and cooked at proper temperatures.