COLUMBUS, Ohio — Poultry showing is on at the Ohio State Fair as officials monitor risks for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).

What You Need To Know

  • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 39 states, including Ohio, reported cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, also known as bird flu

  • There have been zero reported cases of the Bird flu at the Ohio State Fair

  • Each week, Chuck Ringwalt and Spectrum News 1 agriculture expert Andy Vance discuss topics of concern within agriculture

"It's very virulent. In other words, if you get it into your barn, you're going to probably have to depopulate the barn. It's very, very contagious, spreads very easily and [is] commercially impactful; something the industry has been struggling with for a few years and trying to do the best by the birds by keeping super tight biosecurity practices to make sure birds and workers and everyone else involved are able to stay safe and healthy and happy," agriculture expert Andy Vance said.

According to the Ohio State Fair livestock schedule webpage, officials are monitoring the risks for HPAI:

"In conjunction with the Ohio Department of Agriculture, the Ohio State Fair is closely monitoring developments in the poultry industry related to highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The Ohio State Fair is committed to creating a safe environment for both fair=goers and livestock; and will post updates, if any, regarding the progression of poultry participation in the 2022 Ohio State Fair."

Jim Chakeres is the executive vice president of the Ohio Poultry Association.

"Dr. Summers, the state veterinarian, and I have regular conversations. We want to keep the shows open for the exhibitors and the kids, but we also want to protect the entire poultry industry, including the backyard birds, the exhibition birds, as well as the commercial industry. Observing biosecurity is very important while we're here and we're working with the exhibitors to protect their birds and to protect all the birds in Ohio," Chakeres said.

There have been zero cases of the Bird flu reported at the Ohio State Fair.