Events Suspended over Avian Flu

(Jefferson City, MO) To help prevent the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, the Missouri Department of Agriculture is suspending all domestic waterfowl and waterfowl egg auctions, shows, and swap meets through the end of May. Federal officials have confirmed cases of HPAI in Stoddard, Bates, Jasper and Lawrence Counties. HPAI is known to be deadly for domesticated poultry. The statewide auction, show and swap meet suspension only applies to domestic waterfowl and waterfowl eggs. The suspension affects domestic waterfowl, specifically, because they are more likely to comingle with wild, migrating waterfowl that carry HPAI. Poultry can still be sold and exhibited in unaffected counties, at this time, with strict biosecurity measures. Poultry producers should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or an unusual increase in death loss to the state veterinarian's office at (573) 751-3377. The domestic waterfowl auction, show and swap meet suspension will be reevaluated at the end of May.