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PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — Poultry shows have been canceled across South Dakota until further notice while officials attempt to halt the spread of bird flu.
The South Dakota Animal Industry Board voted Wednesday to halt poultry exhibitions in the state, which will likely affect the South Dakota State Fair in September.
As of Wednesday, more than 1.6 million turkeys and chickens in South Dakota had been affected by outbreaks of the H5N2 avian influenza virus.
State Veterinarian Dustin Oedekoven (oh-duh-KOH'-vuhn) says it's not completely clear how the highly pathogenic virus is spreading among farms.
Other states including Minnesota and North Dakota also have halted poultry exhibitions as they combat the spread of the virus.
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