Michigan Bans Bird Shows To Prevent Spread Of Avian Flu

LANSING (WWJ/AP) - Michigan has banned poultry and waterfowl shows at fairs and elsewhere to fight the spread of bird flu.

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the decision Monday.

The department calls it a difficult move but says avian flu is a spreading danger that has appeared in more than a dozen states.

State veterinarian James Averill added that they "know the tremendous amount of time, money and passion" that bird exhibitors put into the shows.

So far, there aren't any reported cases in Michigan this year, but officials have been closely monitoring the situation since more than 5 million hens had to be destroyed in northwest Iowa due to an outbreak there early in the spring, and multiple other cases were reported cases in other Midwest states, including Minnesota and Wisconsin.

According to officials with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, avian influenza (bird flu) viruses are highly contagious, extremely variable viruses that are widespread in birds – particularly wild waterfowl and shorebirds, with domesticated poultry are also readily infected.

State officials are asking that Michigan residents to be alert to possible cases of avian flu among wild or domestic birds and to alert the state.

Get more information from the state about bird flu, HERE.

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