For the past two months, poultry farmers, 4-Hers, and other poultry enthusiasts have had their activities limited by Commissioner Ball's live fowl bans. The reasoning for implementing certain restrictions was to limit the congregation of poultry from multiple locations to slow and stop the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). These efforts have been effective, and the state has not seen a case of HPAI in domestic poultry since April 6th, even while neighboring states were still seeing outbreaks. The efforts and sacrifices that individual flock owners have undergone to protect their poultry have been a substantial help as well. Because there haven't been more outbreaks in the state and incidences of the disease in wild birds has been decreasing, officials have made the decision to lift the bans on fowl shows, swaps, meets, auctions, and sales.

The bans lifting does not mean that the outbreak is over. To date, nearly 40 million domestic poultry from over 360 flocks have died or have been euthanized because of the disease nationally, with additional flocks testing positive each week. However, the rate of outbreaks is slowing, due to measures taken by poultry caretakers to protect their flocks in addition to the warmer, dryer weather in recent weeks. Because outbreaks are still happening across the country, it's important to remain on alert for this disease.

Stay alert for symptoms of HPAI, including:

• death without an apparent cause
• lack of energy or appetite, a sudden drop in egg production or an increased number of eggs with malformed shells
• swelling of the head, comb, eyelids, wattles, and hocks
• purple discoloration of the wattles, combs, and legs, nasal discharge, coughing, and sneezing
• discoordination
• diarrhea

Any birds exhibiting any illness should not leave the farm or homestead. Suspicious illnesses can be reported to:

- NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets: 518-457-3502

- USDA (United States Department of Agriculture): 866-536-7593

- Your local Cornell Cooperative Extension Office

If you are a flock owner or community member with questions, please reach out to your local Cornell Cooperative Extension office for assistance. Media inquiries can be directed to Cornell Cooperative Extension Communications at cce-communications@cornell.edu. The full update from NYS Department of Ag and Markets can be found here: https://agriculture.ny.gov/news/state-agriculture-commissioner-lifts-ban-poultry-shows-exhibitions-auctions-sales-meets-and