The Colorado Department of Agriculture has temporarily suspended all Colorado poultry events for the next three months in response to increasing cases of avian influenza.
Avian influenza has been detected across 29 states impacting more than 15 million poultry and birds this year. The state said that there have been no detections yet of the disease in commercial or backyard poultry flocks in Colorado.
The avian influenza is a highly contagious and fatal animal disease that can be transferred from wild bird populations to domestic poultry. According to state reporting, the illness has been detected in wild birds in Denver, Morgan and Sedgwick counties within the last two weeks.
The suspension of poultry events includes all shows, meets, sales, swaps and competitions in Colorado and is in effect for 90 days unless modified.
To protect birds from the avian influenza, flock owners are encouraged to increase their biosecurity measures, moniot flocks for changes in behavior, and report signs of disease to the state.
The state is hosting a webinar to update backyard and exhibition poultry producers on the avian influenza from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday. Sign up for the webinar and learn more at ag.colorado.gov/animals/reportable-diseases/avian-influenza.
The Colorado Department of Agriculture asks the public to report sick birds or unusual bird deaths. Resources for doing so are available at the link above.
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