Official announcement by the USDA or CDC

H5N1 Bird Flu Outbreak Causes Michigan Fair Cancellations, Disrupts 4-H Events

Aug 18, 2024, 02:56 AM

A bird flu outbreak has significantly impacted state and county fairs across the United States, with restrictions affecting livestock contests and causing cancellations in Michigan. The outbreak, identified as H5N1, has led to the implementation of strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus, which has affected millions of poultry flocks. These restrictions have left many 4-H participants heartbroken as they are unable to showcase their livestock. In Colorado, a number of domestic cats have died from bird flu, even though some had no direct exposure to outbreaks on dairy farms. The situation has altered the traditional look and feel of summer and fall fairs, leaving venues like the Osceola County Fairgrounds in Michigan eerily empty.