Fairground reopened; poultry shows unaffected by flu
The State Board of Animal Health has downgraded the response to the Avian Influenza outbreak in Dubois.
The Dubois County Fairgrounds had been used by responders as a staging area for equipment during the response and was closed to residents during that time. It has reopened at this time.
“First, let me state that the Indiana State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) is extremely grateful to the Dubois County Fair Board and Extension team for your willingness to support our avian influenza response activities, including allowing responders to use the facility as a home base and staging area for our work,” State Veterinarian Bret D. Marsh, DVM said. “The facility was exactly what we needed when we needed it, and had a direct and significant impact on our and USDA’s ability to respond. Thank you.”
Marsh again reassured the public the flue was not a food safety hazard; properly cooked egg and poultry products are safe to eat, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) has stated that this virus has never been associated with human cases in the United States or the world.
With the completion of on?farm activities in the county, state, federal and contractor equipment and staff have been withdrawn from the fairgrounds. A scaled?down supply of response gear has been retained and stored at another site, should it be needed again. The process of withdrawal included cleaning (power?washing) and disinfection of all buildings that were utilized for the response. This is standard procedure to ensure no virus particles are present.
Use of the fairgrounds for activities with people, pets, livestock and even birds can — and should — continue as normal. Use of the grounds and facilities for response presents no risk of infection with this flu virus to humans and animals that will subsequently visit the grounds.
Additionally, the board of animal health has no plans to suspend poultry shows and fairs this year. Therefore, planning for summer events should proceed as usual, in anticipation of a normal fair season.
