Richard Ball, New York State Agriculture Commissioner, lifted a ban June 3 which had put a hold on poultry shows, exhibitions, auctions, sales, meets and swaps. With the ban lifted, poultry exhibits at the fair will be free to resume as usual.
The ban was originally put in place March 25 after four flocks in the state became infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), also known as bird flu. Restrictions were tightened April 14 because four more flocks became infected even after the original ban, bringing the total up to eight infected flocks this year.
The ban was lifted as cases of bird flu decreased nationwide and in the state. The last infected flock in New York was reported April 6. While humans can become infected with bird flu, it is extremely rare with only one case ever being confirmed in the U.S., according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Fairgoers can view a variety of poultry species and breeds in the livestock barn including chickens, ducks, geese, turkeys and peacocks. The livestock barn also holds goats, sheep, pigs, rabbits and guinea pigs.
The 4-H poultry show will take place Tuesday at 3 p.m., and there is also a 4-H rooster-crowing contest Friday at noon. At the 4-H Youth Building, fairgoers can visit the egg incubator and may even see baby chicks hatching.
While people are free to bring their flocks to poultry shows, the New York State Department of Agriculture encourages people to exercise caution. The recommendations include cleaning transportation crates between uses, not sharing supplies with other exhibitors, isolating birds from the rest of the flock 21 days after returning from the show and washing hands before and after handling birds. Poultry must not come to the fair if they are showing any signs of illness. Symptoms of bird flu in poultry include sudden death, reduced egg production, misshapen eggs, lethargy, reduced appetite, respiratory symptoms like nasal discharge and difficulty breathing, swelling of the eyes or head, and purple discoloration of combs, wattles or legs.
