To protect North Dakota’s poultry industry from potential exposure to H5 avian influenza virus, the State Board of Animal Health (BOAH) has cancelled all shows, public sales, swaps and exhibitions of poultry and other birds within the state, said state authorities.

“The state board is taking this precaution to reduce the risk of avian influenza exposure to North Dakota birds,” state veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress said. “Mixing birds could unnecessarily increase the risk of exposure.”

The board action prohibits the specified poultry/bird movements until further notice. BOAH is continuing to monitor and assess the disease threat, which will be reviewed at their 1 June quarterly meeting.

“Nationally, the outbreak has affected more than 13 million commercial and backyard birds in 17 states,” agriculture commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Protecting our North Dakota producers, who raise approximately 1 million commercial birds yearly, and our many backyard bird owners is high priority.”