CENTRAL STATES FAIR CANCELS POULTRY SHOW TO CONTROL SPREAD OF AVAIN INFLUENZA
Rapid City, SD — Central States Fair has cancelled the 2022 Open Class Poultry, Waterfowl, Rare Birds and Pigeons show in an effort to protect the local poultry industry and backyard flocks from potential exposure to the H5 avian influenza virus.
Ron Jeffries, Central States Fair General Manager said “after discussions amongst staff and Poultry superintendents, we felt it best to cancel the Open Class bird shows this year.”
According to the United States Department of Agriculture, Avian flu has been detected in poultry flocks around the Midwest and in other parts of the country. In South Dakota the virus has primarily been wiping out turkey flocks. Dr. Mendel Miller, South Dakota Animal Industry Board assistant state veterinarian said the virus is so deadly that once it gets into a flock, all of the birds are dead within a couple days. The birds are destroyed to prevent the virus from spreading.
The Central States Fair takes place August 19-27 at the Central States Fairgrounds in Rapid City.