Indiana asks public for ideas on allowing safe bird shows

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) – Indiana is asking the public for ideas on how bird shows might go on despite a statewide bird show ban imposed in response to a deadly avian flu.

The State Board of Animal Health said Tuesday the public can submit ideas online for enabling bird shows to continue at 4-H events and other exhibitions.

State Veterinarian Dr. Bret D. Marsh says officials are “looking for ways to restore our public bird events in a way that will reduce or eliminate opportunities for disease to spread.”

The board banned bird shows May 27, likely for the rest of the year.

That ban was in response to the H5 avian influenza virus that’s killed tens of millions of chickens, mostly in the Upper Midwest.