Out-of-state birds will not be allowed to compete in any Illinois exhibitions because of the 2015 bird flu outbreak.
The restriction was announced by the Illinois Department of Agriculture, which said the action was their proactive approach to the threat of avian influenza. The announcement was made less than three weeks after Iowa banned showing and selling all birds until the outbreak was under control.
“The restriction includes county fairs, FFA and 4-H fairs, Illinois State Fair, and the DuQuoin State Fair,” the announcement notice said.
“This decision not only protects the poultry industry, but it also guarantees our state’s youth the opportunity to show livestock at our many county fairs and at both state fairs,” said Illinois Department of Agriculture Director Philip Nelson.
More than 46 million birds had died or been euthanized in 20 states due to avian influenza in 2015. That includes nearly 30 million just in Iowa. Other impacted states included Arkansas, California, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Washington, Wisconsin, Nevada, New Mexico, Wyoming, and Utah, according to Illinois officials.
Avian influenza has not been detected in Illinois.
Birds affected with highly pathogenic avian influenza could exhibit these symptoms:
• Sudden death without clinical signs
• Respiratory distress (gasping)
• Digestive abnormalities (extreme diarrhea)
• Swelling around the head, neck and eyes
• Purple or blue discoloration around the head and legs
• Decreased egg production or soft-shelled or misshapen eggs
• Nasal discharge
• Coughing, sneezing
• Turkeys may have nervous systems including tremors, twisted necks, paralyzed wings and recumbent pedaling
