SPRINGFIELD, IL (Chambana Today) – The Illinois Department of Agriculture (IDOA) has issued a 30-day suspension on the exhibition or sale of poultry due to H5N1 avian flu.
The suspension, effective Tuesday, February 11 prohibits the exhibition and sale at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets. This move is intended to prevent the spread of the disease which has been detected in flocks in Illinois.
“Prevention is our most effective tool to mitigate the spread of avian flu. By being proactive in biosecurity and limiting poultry movement and exposure, we are protecting the public as well as the poultry industry,” said Dr. Mark Ernst, IDOA State Veterinarian.
The flu is caused by an influenza type A virus which can affect chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and wild birds. This flu is extremely infectious and often fatal to chickens. Poultry flock owners should report any abnormalities in domestic poultry such as increase in mortality, decrease in water consumption, decrease in egg production, or respiratory signs, including coughing and sneezing.
“The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) strongly supports this precautionary move by the Department of Agriculture to reduce the spread of the H5N1 avian flu virus,” said IDPH Director Dr. Sameer Vohra. “At this point, Illinois has had no known human cases, and while the risk to the general population remains low, this action by IDOA will improve our preparedness by reducing the chance that a person comes in close contact with an infected bird or animal. IDPH continues to monitor human exposures very closely. We are committed to using every tool at our disposal to enhance our preparation, communication, and education to help combat H5N1.”
The IDOA reminds the public not to handle waterfowl or other birds displaying illness due to risk of infection. Keep pets, including dogs and cats, away from bird carcasses due to risk of infection.