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ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO) – The Minnesota Board of Animal Health now requires a negative test for the H5N1 virus before a lactating dairy cow can attend any exhibition for display or judging.
The H5N1 virus is common in wild birds, and infections have led to the deaths of millions of chickens and turkeys in the past two years.
“While it’s the same virus that causes the disease, it presents as different diseases in poultry and dairy,” says Dr. Katie Cornille. “It’s really about preventing disease spread, protecting animals, and making sure that these events and all the county fairs this summer can stay safe and fun for everyone there.”
A veterinarian must oversee or collect samples from each animal traveling to the exhibition within seven days before arriving at the event. Samples must be sent to a national animal health laboratory network. Once a negative result is received for an animal, it can move within Minnesota for 10 days from the sample collection date to locations specified on the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.
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