The suspension, announced by State Veterinarian Mike Martin, includes all exhibitions, farm tours, shows, sales, flea markets, auction markets, swaps and meets pertaining to poultry and feathered fowl in North Carolina. 

Since March 29, the bird flu has been detected at seven commercial poultry facilities in Johnston and Wayne Counties, with more than 90,000 turkeys and 280,000 broilers killed and composted onsite to prevent further spread. The virus is considered low risk to people and not a food safety threat. 

Several other states, including Georgia, have also canceled or altered poultry events due to the virus. Poultry owners across the state need to practice strict biosecurity. This includes keeping flocks indoors without access to outside and reporting sick birds to your local veterinarian, the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Veterinary Division, 919.707.3250, or the N.C. Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory System 919.733.3986. Updates on the outbreak are available at ncagr.gov/avianflu/newsroom.htm.