Charleston, WV (WOAY)- The West Virginia Department of Agriculture (WVDA) has suspended all poultry exhibitions, shows, meets, and sales at flea and auction markets.
The decision was made in response to the ongoing threat of highly pathogenic avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu.
Two confirmed outbreaks have been detected in West Virginia backyard flocks in Pocahontas and Kanawha counties.
Bird flu has been detected regionally in commercial and backyard poultry flocks, with cases rising nationwide ahead of the spring migratory season.
The season runs from March 1 to June 15.
To prevent the spread of the disease, WVDA urges poultry owners to limit, monitor, and record any movement of people, vehicles, or animals on or off the farm.
Also, permit only essential workers and vehicles to enter the farm, avoid visiting other poultry farms or unnecessary travel, change clothes before entering and exiting poultry areas, keep flocks away from wild or migratory birds, and isolate any ill animals.
Poultry owners should report unusual death loss, a drop in egg production, or sick domestic birds to the animal health division at (304)558-2214.
