TORONTO – Poultry shows are cooked for the time being. Because of recent avian flu outbreaks in Ontario, the province has prohibited events where birds might commingle — at shows, sales, swaps, fairs and other sport and educational displays.
The ban went into effect April 9. It’s due to expire May 9 but may be extended if required.
Avian influenza subtype H5N1 has been identified in Ontario and eight other provinces, as well as 24 US states. In addition to the latest measure imposed by Ontario’s Ministry of Food and Rural Affairs, the Canadian Food Inspection Agency has established control zones around several Ontario farms where the contagious virus has turned up.
