Poultry shows and exhibitions at Pennsylvania fairs are suspended until further notice, as highly pathogenic avian influenza spreads in the Midwest.

"It was a difficult decision to make in an effort to reduce the risk of spreading disease during congregation of birds, and hopefully the 4-H projects can continue without actually taking poultry to the shows," said Nan Hanshaw, who heads the Animal Health Division of the Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture. "It is also recommended that all poultry shows and exhibitions at other venues be suspended until further notice."Robert Silliman, Carbon County Fair president, said that although exhibitors and fairgoers may be disappointed, it's the right course of action."It's bad for the kids, who work all year to get ready for the fair, but you do what's best," Silliman said. "We don't like to see it happen but it's better to be cautious."Silliman said he hoped the suspension would be lifted in time for the fair, scheduled for Aug. 3-8. If not, fair organizers may be able to work out another way to judge entries without having the poultry brought to fair grounds."We'll play it by ear," he said. "It could be lifted by fair time, so people should still put in their entries."The West End Fair board will be discussing the issue Tuesday night, according to Steve Hughes, agriculture agent for the Penn State Extension of Monroe County.Last year five 4-H members entered their chickens in 33 classes at the fair. A number of adults entered in the open classes as well."Department of Ag officials are being cautious," Hughes said. "The flu is extremely contagious."Nationwide, 50 flocks have been quarantined, 40 were commercial farms and 10 were backyard owners, Hughes said.Poultry is always tested before it is allowed to be entered into the fair, according to Hughes, but agriculture officials are taking one more step."It's increasing biosecurity," Hughes said.Avian influenza, commonly known as "bird flu," is caused by an influenza type-A virus. Avian influenza viruses occur naturally in birds. Wild bird species (such as ducks, swans and geese) can carry the virus, but usually do not exhibit symptoms.However, avian influenza in birds is very contagious and can sicken or kill domesticated birds such as chickens, ducks, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and turkeys.No highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses have been detected in Pennsylvania since an outbreak in 1983 and 1984, when Pennsylvania lost 17 million birds worth $65 million. That outbreak spurred the department to create an avian influenza surveillance program.Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding said that the state has kept tabs on the outbreak in the Midwest. Being proactive is the best course of action, he said."By protecting animal health, we are ultimately protecting human health," Redding said."We've been tracking this disease closely as it has spread in other states," he added. "By working closely with the industry, as well as other government and public health stakeholders, we are making every effort to prepare Pennsylvania in the event the disease is found here."According to Hanshaw, on-farm inspections for poultry programs are also being suspended in some cases or modified during this time to allow producers to implement the best biosecurity practices possible to protect their flocks.Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture inspectors will continue records inspections and hatchery inspections of commercial participants, and will also continue flock/hatchery inspections of exhibition-type birds.To date, there have been no human infections detected from the highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses currently circulating in the United States bird populations, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and health professionals the risk to humans is low.Even if the moratorium is lifted this summer, Hughes said there likely won't be enough time for fairs to test the birds before entry. "We test them 30 to 60 days ahead of time," Hughes said.He's hoping the situation clears by the farm show in January.