With winter over and warmer weather on the way, the Maryland Department of Agriculture has reissued its poultry health requirements for the 2016 fair and show season. High Path Avian Influenza (or “Bird Flu”) is a wintertime disease. With temperatures warming up, the requirements have been changed to reflect the reduced threat.
However, if HPAI is diagnosed anywhere in the mid-Atlantic region or Atlantic flyway, all 2016 poultry fairs and shows will be cancelled.
The re-issued requirements are listed below.
- After May 15, 2016, all Maryland poultry fairs and shows can keep and show poultry for the duration of their exhibition – not just for one day, which was originally announced.
- All poultry, including domestic waterfowl, can be shown, and all wildlife and petting zoo displays will be allowed.
- Eggs can be shown if cleaned and sanitized.
- The new Maryland Certificate of Veterinary Inspection Form will continue to be used. This CVI replaces both Interstate and Intrastate forms in Maryland; however, under these re-issued requirements, the CVI will be valid for 120 days for exhibitions, not the 90 days as originally issued.
- In state and out of state testing requirements for avian influenza and Pullorum/Typhoid will remain the same. For avian flu, all poultry except pigeons and doves must be tested within 10 days, up to 30 birds, prior to entry or originate from a NPIP AI clean flock or a state AI monitored flock.
- For Pullorum/Typhoid, all poultry except waterfowl, pigeons and doves must be test negative for Pullorum/Typhoid within 90 days prior to entry or originate from a U.S. NPIP Pullorum/Typhoid Free flock.
- Private sales also remain prohibited.
“I strongly encourage every Maryland fair and show to develop sound biosecurity plans to prevent the spread of contagious and infectious diseases before, during, and after each exhibition,” said Maryland State Veterinarian Michael W. Radebaugh.