The Nebraska Department of Agriculture on Thursday cancelled all poultry events across the state through the end of the year, in an effort to stop the spread of avian flu. NDA Director Greg Ibach says the decision was made in an effort to protect the physical and economic health of Nebraska’s poultry sector.

The ban will include all events where birds are co-mingled including: local and county fairs and festivals, the Nebraska State Fair, Ak-Sar-Ben, swap meets, exotic sales and live bird auctions. They hope to prevent the spread of highly pathogenic H5N2 variant of bird flu.

“It is a difficult decision as I know youth and adults would soon be exhibiting their projects at local fairs,” Ibach said . “As a parent of past 4-H and FFA members, I understand the time and commitment that our youth put into their projects and can understand the disappointment they may feel in not being able to exhibit their projects this year.”

“This decision was not made lightly, but is necessary to assure we do everything possible to protect our collective poultry flock from further spread of the virus.”

In the announcement, Ibach applauded Nebraska Extension for working to identify options for youth enrolled in poultry projects to showcase their learning and participate in fairs in other ways than having their birds present. Ibach continues to ask Nebraska poultry producers, large and small, to monitor their flocks for symptoms of the virus and notify NDA immediately if they suspect any problems.

All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should prevent contact between their birds and other birds including wild birds. Ibach says you should report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to state/federal officials.

In a briefing, NDA said five farms have been impacted by highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza — four in Dixon County and one in Knox County. As of Tuesday, two of those farms were under quarantine as a suspect flock.  In the language of the USDA, those flocks are expected to be “depopulated.”