The State Board of Animal Health recently issued the order, and also recommended that other fairs require testing. A federal order already requires that lactating dairy animals used for exhibition be tested when crossing borders.
“Since late March, several states have had detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza in dairy cows,” North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said. “Although North Dakota has not had any detections yet, the testing will help to minimize the potential for illness to spread.”
Goehring PROVIDED
The bird flu outbreak that began about two years ago has resulted in the slaughter of nearly 100 million chickens and turkeys nationwide, including almost 400,000 in North Dakota.
The virus this year has spread to more than 100 dairy cattle herds in a dozen states, including South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming and Iowa, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Three human cases also have been identified in the U.S., in Michigan and Texas. Federal and state officials are urging biosecurity measures to try to stem further spread.
“Owners of lactating dairy cattle who are planning to bring their animals to the State Fair should contact their veterinarian, who will collect a sample,” State Veterinarian Dr. Ethan Andress said. “All costs related to the veterinarian, shipping, and lab testing by North Dakota State University will be reimbursed by the federal government.”
North Dakota in 2022 had 24 confirmed bird flu cases in turkey and chicken flocks in 17 counties, according to state Department of Agriculture records. Last year there were 10 confirmed cases in six counties, the last on Dec. 28. No cases have been documented in domestic flocks so far this year. There also have been 439 confirmed bird flu cases in numerous types of wild birds throughout North Dakota since the outbreak began. That’s fifth-most in the nation, and neighboring Minnesota is tops with 659.
The State Fair is July 19-27 at the State Fairgrounds on the east edge of Minot.
Australia’s peak dairy farmer representative body says making the Food and Grocery Code mandatory will benefit dairy farmers and create a level playing field for all suppliers.
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