AP and staff report
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4-H members all across the state of Ohio who had chickens as projects can celebrate their return to the county and State Fair circuit. Ohio officials are lifting the ban on bird shows that was issued in June because of the threat of a deadly bird flu virus that affects domestic poultry.
The ban eliminated such shows at fairs last summer, including Crawford County as well as auctions and swap meets. The Department of Agriculture says Ohio had no confirmed cases, but more than 48 million birds in the U.S. were affected during the spring and summer.
Ohio’s agriculture director and the state veterinarian rescinded the ban Thursday, with the Department of Agriculture saying there is no immediate threat of avian flu. It says the World Organization for Animal Health concluded those outbreaks are now resolved.
State officials say bird owners still are urged to remain cautious about protecting their flocks’ health during migration seasons.
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