Michigan county fairs take enhanced biosecurity measures amid bird flu outbreak

New regulations are in place at Michigan fairs to help contain the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus. Measures currently required by the state include hand-washing stations and a ban on the display of certain farm animals.

The recent outbreak of avian influenza among dairy cows and poultry in Michigan affected nearly seven million birds and 25 flocks.

According to the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), all livestock destined for county fairs must be tested for the virus at least one week before the event, and signs must be posted outside each barn housing livestock informing fairgoers about biosecurity.

Martin Fabrik, president of the Eaton County Fair Board, says the agricultural community is used to these safety measures, adding that the outbreak is nothing new.

“Dairy cows are not allowed, nor are pregnant cows that will calve within two months. We will have plenty of hand washing and hand sanitizing stations,” Fabrik said.

But Fabrik said he does not expect a drop in visitor numbers, which normally hover around 40,000 at the fair itself, because the virus is not fatal. So far, most infected cattle are not killed because they usually recover without additional treatment.

“It’s unfortunate that this is happening, but we’ve learned to deal with it. I don’t think it will affect us financially or even in terms of visitor numbers. I would definitely tell guests to wash their hands,” Fabrik said.

This year, there have been four cases of bird flu in humans in the United States that were transmitted from dairy cows. Two of these occurred in Michigan. All of the people who contracted the virus initially suffered from mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis before recovering.

After biosecurity regulations to contain the spread of the virus were announced in early May, some restrictions were relaxed at the state level.

Fabrik said he was relieved to be able to hold the fair’s poultry show after MDARD lifted a ban on poultry exhibitions in late June.

“So we initially cancelled our poultry show, but have now decided to go ahead with it. According to MDARD, we still have to meet some requirements.”

The Eaton County Fair takes place from July 8th to 13th.