NC to ban public poultry shows, sales to stem spread of bird flu

State agriculture officials say they made the decision in anticipation of a potential spread of bird flu to North Carolina this fall when waterfowl migrate south for the winter. The virus has killed nearly 50 million birds in the country so far but has not yet spread to the Southeast.

“There’s a significant likelihood that it will come to North Carolina,” State Veterinarian Doug Meckes said in an interview. “It’s a significant threat to our industry.”

North Carolina is the fourth largest producer of chickens for meat and the third largest producer of turkeys, state officials said.

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