SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WJPF) – The Illinois Department of Agriculture has suspended the exhibition or sale of live poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets for the next 30 days. It’s in response to the ongoing threat of bird flu.
The disease has been detected in commercial and backyard flocks in Illinois. Bird flu virus strains are extremely infectious, almost always fatal for the bird, and can spread rapidly from flock to flock.
“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.
While bird flu has also been detected in dairy cattle, no cases have been confirmed in Illinois to date.
