FRANKFORT, Ky. — Last week Kentucky agriculture officials strengthened efforts to further protect its poultry industry and bird population from the avian influenza outbreak by enacting restrictions on sales and movement within the state.

State Veterinarian Robert C. Stout explained the steps were being taken out of an abundance of caution. "Poultry is Kentucky’s leading agricultural commodity, and we will do everything we can to keep our commercial and backyard poultry industries secure," he said.

Since last December, the disease has spread to 21 states and has affected about 50 million birds, more than half of those in Iowa. But Kentucky producers also have much to lose in the event an outbreak starts here: According to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, the state’s poultry industry generated an estimated $1.2 billion in farm cash receipts in 2013, with Kentucky farmers producing 309 million broilers and more than 1.1 billion eggs.

Stout said the regulations disallow commingling sales events, including stockyards, flea markets and swap meets. Also, sales of birds will not be allowed at fairs or shows, but private sale with direct intrastate farm-to-farm movement is allowed per state regulation 302 KAR 20.065, section 7.

"Anytime you have commingling and changing of hands, and sometimes these birds would change hands two or three times before they left, it’s considered a high risk," he said.

Shows such as those at fairs are still being allowed, but only for state birds. No out-of-state birds will be allowed. Stout noted other movements from out of state are handled on a case-by-case basis by his office.

While the ban on interstate movement of birds to shows won’t likely affect smaller country fairs, it does have the potential to affect some shows at the state fair in late August. Many show participants come from neighboring states like Indiana during the state fair; Stout said these regulations are likely to still be in effect during that time. "We’re hoping that allowing the in-state people to show, there will at least be a show," he said. "Indiana has shut down all of their shows and swap meets within that state, so I just think it makes sense that we don’t want everybody in the world coming from Indiana or Ohio to show when they’re not allowed to show in their own state."

Domestic birds can be infected by wild birds that naturally carry types of the virus, often with no effects. According to information from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), the presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza was confirmed in two wild birds, a goose and a duck, in McCracken County, Ky.

Stout said the upcoming southern migration is of particular concern here, when wild birds could reintroduce the virus. Because the poultry industry, which is including more and more turkeys, has grown so much, increased biosecurity measures are being taken to ensure the safety of those birds.

He said producers dodged a bullet on the earlier migration and hopefully will do so again. "The USDA is describing (this outbreak) as the worst animal agriculture disease outbreak that they have dealt with in quite some time."

Some of the biosecurity measures Stout is encouraging producers to follow include:

•Keep your distance – isolate your birds from visitors and other birds

•Keep it clean – prevent germs from spreading by cleaning shoes, tools and equipment

•Don’t haul disease home – clean vehicles and cages

•Don’t borrow from your neighbor – avoid sharing tools and equipment

•Know the signs – watch for early signs to prevent the spread of disease

•Report sick birds and unusual signs of disease or unexpected deaths to the Office of the Kentucky State Veterinarian at 502-573-0282, Option 3, or through USDA’s toll-free number at 866-536-7593

For more information on the restrictions, visit www.kyagr.com/statevet/import-poultry-ratites.html and for more biosecurity tips and other information about avian influenza, go to http://healthybirds.aphis.usda.gov