By Carrie Muehling
BLOOMINGTON – Avian influenza will not keep the poultry show from happening at this year’s McLean County Fair.
The Illinois Department of Agriculture is restricting out-of-state birds from showing in poultry shows at fairs and expositions in the state this summer.
“We’re the only state in the Midwest that hasn’t been impacted by the avian influenza, so everybody does have some apprehension about it,” said Sarah Van Note, poultry co-superintendent at the McLean County Fair. “It will make the state fair a little bit smaller, and I know some other club shows have cancelled or postponed their meets until later in the year in hopes that the ban will be raised.”
Van Note said the show is still in the plans as usual, but things could change before the fair, which is Aug. 5-9 in Bloomington.
“It’s a day-by-day situation,” said Van Note. “I think we are the only state in the Midwest that hasn’t been affected by the avian influenza. That’s why I think Illinois is taking the stance that they are currently and not letting any out-of-state birds in. But, if we do have any documented cases in the state, I’m sure things will change quickly.”
The virus does not thrive in summer temperatures, so Van Note is hopeful that will help to keep avian influenza out of the state as the county fair season unfolds across Illinois. She said any changes before the fair would be communicated to poultry exhibitors through the University of Illinois Extension.
Carrie Muehling can be reached at [email protected].
