The Illinois Department of Agriculture is lifting the temporary suspension on the exhibition or sale of poultry at swap meets, exhibitions, flea markets, and auction markets. The suspension was initially issued in February in response to the ongoing threat of the avian flu and continued through today.
IDOA State Veterinarian Dr. Mark Ernst says that if the situation changes again, they will re-evaluate; however, for now, they feel it is safe to resume poultry exhibitions and sales.
The public is reminded not to handle or attempt to capture wild waterfowl or other birds displaying signs of illness. Due to the risk of infection to other animals, cats should be kept away from the carcasses of birds that may have died from avian flu.
