Bird flu scrubs shows at Indiana 4-H fairs
Published 3:00 pm Thursday, May 28, 2015
- Poultry judge Tim Boles holds up and examines Lexi Allen's English class bird as she looks on during poultry judging at the 2014 Madison County 4-H Fair. There won't be any poultry or other fowl shown at the 4-H fair this summer due to a statewide ban to prevent the spread of bird flu.
ANDERSON, Ind. — 4-H fairs across Indiana will proceed this year without poultry and waterfowl after the state’s Board of Animal Health placed a ban on moving birds to events.
“This was not a decision made lightly,” said Indiana State Veterinarian Bret Marsh. “The spread of the H5 viruses has been unprecedented, and our goal is to protect the health of small, backyard poultry flocks as much as our commercial industry from this disease.”
The ban, which a press release from the Indiana State Board of Animal Health says will likely remain through the end of the year, comes in response to a recent outbreak of bird flu that has killed nearly 40 million birds in 16 states. It affects thousands of children involved in 4-H clubs throughout the state who raise and care for birds while preparing them for county fairs in the summer months.
“In light of the ban, the poultry show has to be canceled” at the Madison County 4-H Fair this summer, 4-H Youth Development Educator Gary Simmons told the Anderson (Ind.) Herald Bulletin. “It’s a very unfortunate circumstance.”
Simmons added that alternate arrangements would be made and that those continuing with their poultry projects would receive credit for them despite the ban. He said he expects similar measures will be taken in other counties.
In addition to poultry, many 4-H shows include ducks, geese, turkeys, guineas and pigeons. The ban covers those birds as well.
The Board of Animal Health plans to seek input from bird owners on potential ways to reopen public shows and sales.
“We don’t want this ban to be permanent, but we are in an emergency situation,” said Denise Derrer, public information director for the Indiana State Board of Animal Health. “We want to come back and get back in business, but how can we do that in a way that protects the health of these birds?”
She added that the board which instituted the ban normally meets in July and October, which likely would not provide enough time to reevaluate the ban before the end of the year.
State officials say the flu poses little threat to humans.
The Anderson (Ind.) Herald Bulletin contributed to this story.
