BISMARCK, N.D. (NewsDakota.com) – The North Dakota State Board of Animal Health met yesterday and amended the statewide suspension of poultry/bird events.

Effective immediately, following the detection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), comingling events such as poultry and bird shows, sales and swaps are prohibited in the affected county and adjoining counties.

Currently, the restricted counties are Cass and the adjoining counties of Traill, Steele, Barnes, Ransom and Richland due to the case detected last month in Cass. If no new cases emerge in 30 days after the detection, the suspension will be automatically lifted for that area.

Those in non-restricted counties may again hold poultry and bird events but producers in restricted counties cannot take birds to or from poultry events.

“As HPAI cases continue to be a concern, the board has made the decision to take a regional approach for addressing comingling poultry and bird events,” State Board of Animal Health President Dr. Gerald Kitto said.

“I applaud the board and industry working together to balance the needs of commerce while protecting poultry producers from this devastating disease,” Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring said.

Avian influenza infects many species of wild birds and can be transmitted by direct contact with infected birds or contaminated food or water. Sick and dead wild birds should be reported to North Dakota Game and Fish at https://gf.nd.gov/wildlife/diseases/mortality-report.

More information about avian influenza is available at www.nd.gov/ndda/disease/avian-influenza and from the USDA-APHIS at www.aphis.usda.gov. Subsequent detections of HPAI in North Dakota will be posted on www.nd.gov/ndda/hpai.