By Andi Anderson
The Michigan State Fair is enhancing its livestock biosecurity measures ahead of Labor Day weekend following the detection of a swine flu case at the Kent County Fair. Fair officials are taking additional steps to protect livestock, exhibitors, and visitors while ensuring a safe and educational experience.
According to L.C. Scramlin, State Fair Livestock and Agriculture Director and General Manager of the Oakland County Fair, fair organizers reviewed and reinforced existing health and safety procedures after being informed of the confirmed swine flu case by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development.
“We had one case at Kent County Fair, and so then all of us and I know now kicking in, of course, with my fair is done, but the state fair and is coming up, so we of course have actually discussed and went back through the protocols that we actually used to, and we've actually had them in place,” Scramlin said.
Officials note that the Michigan State Fair has an advantage because its livestock facilities are not used regularly for animal events. Equipment is brought out of storage, thoroughly cleaned, and disinfected before animals arrive at the fairgrounds.
“We go through a disinfectant procedure, even though it hasn't been exposed to animals, it has been in storage and not been used,” Scramlin said.
A licensed veterinarian will be present throughout the event to inspect livestock upon arrival and monitor animal health during the fair.
“We do have a veterinarian that will be there to check animals in,” Scramlin said.
Rather than conducting routine testing on all pigs, fair officials will closely observe animals for signs of illness. Veterinarians and exhibitors will watch for symptoms such as unusual inactivity, loss of appetite, or elevated body temperature.
“An exhibitor or a veterinarian can tell quite easily when those pigs are not their normal active, and especially then they refuse to go off feed and don't eat, and it becomes very noticeable then,” he said.
Animals showing concerning symptoms will be moved immediately to a designated isolation area for observation and further evaluation.
“They are immediately put in. What we have is a fairly large complex down at Vibe, so they will be loaded on a trailer and taken to an isolation area,” Scramlin said.
Officials will continue monitoring isolated animals, and if concerns persist, they may be sent home while state agriculture authorities are notified. Testing can take approximately 24 hours.
Scramlin also emphasized that travel and exhibition-related stress can contribute to disease outbreaks among livestock.
“Truly the ones like in Kent County, they usually the outbreaks do take place after they've arrived and put under the stress of traveling and and being on an exhibition,” he said.
In addition to animal health measures, exhibitors are encouraged to practice proper hygiene, including handwashing after handling livestock. Fair officials are also limiting unnecessary contact between visitors and pigs to reduce potential risks.
“We do try to limit that as much as possible,” Scramlin said. Staff and security personnel will remain in the livestock facilities around the clock to monitor animals and maintain biosecurity standards.
“We actually have guards that are in the building 24 hours a day to make sure that no one, you know, just protect the animals and for worrying about biosecurity that they're never left alone in the facility 24 hours a day,” he said.
Despite the recent swine flu case, Scramlin encouraged the public to attend the fair and learn more about agriculture.
“We just encourage people to come and talk with exhibitors, learn where their food comes from, and still enjoy the educational and fun aspect of the Michigan State Fair,” he said. The Michigan State Fair will take place during Labor Day weekend at the Vibe Credit Union Showplace in Novi, with officials emphasizing safety, education, and animal health throughout the event.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-ahavelaar
Categories: Michigan, Livestock