WKSU News: Ohio cancels poultry shows at the state and all county fairs

Tuesday, June 2, 2015 Ohio cancels poultry shows at the state and all county fairs The state is trying to stave off the invasion of avian flu Story by STEVE BROWN

The virus has already killed a combined 29 million turkeys and chickens in Iowa.

Courtesy of The United Soybean Board, Flickr

The Ohio Department of Agriculture is cancelling all poultry shows at every fair across the state.

For Ohio Public Radio, WOSU’s Steve Brown reports.

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The nationwide outbreak of the H5 virus has killed about 50 million chickens and turkeys, but none in Ohio.

In an effort to keep the Avian flu out of the state, Ohio is banning poultry shows at every county fair and the state fair, effective immediately through at least the end of the year.

State veterinarian Tony Forshey says this particular flu strain is robust.

“This virus is a very hearty virus, and we may have it for a few years," said Forshey. "It has no need to mutate, or resort, or change at this point because it’s alive and well.”

Forshey says the risk of an infected bird making it into Ohio will increase during the fall migration season.