No poultry at Palouse Empire Fair

COLFAX – The Palouse Empire Fair will be suspending the exhibiting of poultry at this year's Fair, due to the ongoing outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influence (HPAI) being detected in both domestic and wild birds.

The Washington Department of Agriculture (WSDA) confirmed the presence of avian influenza in May of 2022. The Washington State Veterinarian is recommending suspending all poultry exhibitions, fairs, shows, and sales.

Avian influenza is also known as bird flu. It is a disease caused by infection with avian influenza. Type A viruses that occur naturally among wild birds worldwide and can infect poultry and other bird and animal species.

"Last year it was the rabbits, this year poultry. We will miss our morning wake up calls and the daily chattering coming from the Barn." Fair Manager, Janel Goebel said. The Palouse Empire Fair joins a growing list of Washington State fairs who suspended their live poultry shows.

There is an alternative form of the poultry show being planned to take place prior to the Fair. Poultry exhibitors who pre-registered will receive an email regarding show information, and will be posted on the Fair's Facebook page. Whitman County had no confirmed cases of HPAI, as of July 26.