NM health officials share guidance on fair safety amid spread of bird flu
NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – With the start of fair season, the New Mexico Livestock Board issued recommendations that animal exhibitors and fair organizers can follow to help prevent and limit the spread of avian influenza, also known as bird flu.
Bird flu in the United States and New Mexico
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), bird flu is widespread in wild birds worldwide and is causing outbreaks in poultry and U.S. dairy cows with several recent human cases in U.S. dairy and poultry workers.
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Bird flu in dairy cows was first reported in March 2024 and it was detected in a commercial flock in the United States in February 2022. Since then, officials have been monitoring bird flu in commercial poultry, backyard flocks, and wild birds.
“So this is something that’s always been on our radar. But now, in addition to swine and poultry, we now have dairy cattle on our radar,” said New Mexico Department of Health State Public Health Veterinarian Erin Phipps.
The latest data from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that eight dairy cow herds in New Mexico have confirmed cases of bird flu; however, none of the livestock herds were affected during the last 30 days.
As for birds in New Mexico, there have been three affected commercial flocks, two affected backyard flocks, and a total of 129,260 birds affected in this outbreak. Like the cow herds, there have been no new confirmed cases in the last 30 days.
There have been no cases of bird flu among humans in New Mexico, according to the CDC.
Guidance for handling livestock at New Mexico fairs
The New Mexico Livestock Board is leaving the decision to postpone or cancel shows, sales, or events in the hands of event organizers, except in the event of quarantine, health order, or movement restrictions.
The State Veterinarian’s office recommends that event organizers have a plan in case an animal does become sick or shows signs of bird flu. “Having an isolation area prepared or at least have a plan for that so that they can remove those animals from the rest of the population and then get them off the fairgrounds,” said State Veterinarian with the New Mexico Livestock Board Samantha Holeck.
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In the case where an animal does become sick and needs care from its handlers or other staff, officials are also recommending that event hosts provide personal protective equipment, such as “disposable gloves, coveralls, boot covers, eye protection, well-fitting masks covering mouth and nose and/or respirator if available,” according to the guidance.
Exhibitors are advised to monitor their animals after attending fairs or shows and bring any animal health concerns to their veterinarian. If bird flu is detected: “their veterinarian would need to notify us, but also we do ask that those exhibitors notify their county agent, and those county agents in turn would be in contact with our office,” Holeck added.
Fair organizers and animal exhibitors can find more safety and health information on the New Mexico Livestock Board’s website by clicking the link to the CDC’s webpage.
Should attendees and fair officials take measures when coming in contact with animals?
Holeck and Phipps recommend that anyone who comes in contact with animals at the fairs should wash their hands.
“Hand washing is the single most important thing that anyone can do to reduce their chance of transmission of any of the diseases that we worry about,” said Phipps. “So after any contact with animals, petting them, feeding them, or even when you leave an animal area, even if you haven’t directly touched an animal, washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds is very important.”
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Phipps added that parents and families should monitor their kids around animals and ” leave strollers, pacifiers, toys outside of the animal area.”
NMDOH said they are working on a plant to provide outreach at the state fair and possibly at county fairs.
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