North Dakota lifts ban on poultry gathering

North Dakota's Board of Animal Health has rescinded an order to halt bird movement to shows, exhibitions and public sales within the state.
The ban was put into place in April of this year to help protect North Dakota’s poultry industry during the midst of a nationwide outbreak of avian influenza. North Dakota had two confirmed cases of avian influenza in commercial poultry operations, which affected over 130,000 birds. Nationally, the outbreak affected over 48 million birds in 15 states.

Although the ban is lifted, State Veterinarian Dr. Susan Keller reminds bird owners to immediately report unusual death loss to their local and state veterinarian, restrict access to their property, prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and practice enhanced biosecurity.
Anyone bringing birds into North Dakota should contact the North Dakota Department of Agriculture’s Animal Health Division at 701-328-2655 to ensure they are meeting all importation requirements.

More information about avian influenza and biosecurity is available at www.nd.gov/ndda/disease/avian-influenza and from the USDA-APHIS at www.aphis.usda.gov.