The State Board of Animal Health recently issued this order and also recommended that testing be required at other fairs. A federal order already requires dairy cows used for exhibitions to be tested when they cross the border.

“Since late March, highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in dairy cows in several states,” said Doug Goehring, North Dakota's Agriculture Commissioner. “Although there has not been any detection in North Dakota, testing will help minimize the risk of the disease spreading.”

The bird flu outbreak that began about two years ago led to the slaughter of nearly 100 million chickens and turkeys across the country, including nearly 400,000 in North Dakota.

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus has spread to more than 100 dairy herds in a dozen states this year, including South Dakota, Minnesota, Wyoming and Iowa. Three human cases have also been identified in the US, in Michigan and Texas. Federal and state authorities are calling for biosecurity measures to prevent further spread.

“Dairy cow owners who wish to bring their animals to the State Fair should contact their veterinarian, who will collect a sample,” said Dr. Ethan Andress, state veterinarian. “All veterinarian, shipping and laboratory testing costs through North Dakota State University will be reimbursed by the federal government.”

According to Department of Agriculture records, there have been 24 confirmed cases of avian influenza in turkey and chicken flocks in 17 counties in North Dakota in 2022. Last year, there were 10 confirmed cases in six counties, the most recent on Dec. 28. No cases have been documented in domestic flocks so far this year. There have also been 439 confirmed cases of avian influenza in numerous wild bird species across North Dakota since the outbreak began. That's the fifth-highest number in the country, with neighboring Minnesota leading the way with 659 cases.

The State Fair takes place from July 19-27 at the State Fairgrounds on the eastern edge of Minot.