How bird flu is changing Minnesota’s state and county fairs

The big picture: Bird flu — technically, the H5N1 strain in dairy — has spread across livestock herds in more than a dozen states, including Minnesota.

• The danger to humans is low, but outbreaks can devastate poultry populations, and federal officials told reporters this week they are "concerned" about the possibility of spread.

Threat level: "It's not something that's considered an imminent risk, but we also, as an agency, want to be prepared for any possibility," Katie Cornille, senior veterinarian for the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, told Axios.

State of play: Minnesota still allows milking cows at fairs, but only if they have proof of negative flu tests taken in the week before they arrive. Cow udders have been identified as a hotspot for the virus.

• The Minnesota State Fair last week announced an additional precaution: any milking cows staying longer than 10 days will need to test negative again.

Yes, but: The "Miracle of Birth Center" will not be including birthing cows this year, the Star Tribune reported.

What they're saying: University of Minnesota epidemiologist Michael Osterholm said there has been evidence of animal-to-human transmission of influenza at fairs.

• He pointed specifically to 2016 outbreaks of swine flu that were believed to be connected to human contact with pigs at fairs in Ohio and Michigan.

Between the lines: "What we do at fairs kind of violates every tenet of biosecurity that we preach, and we do it on public display, and we charge the public," Andrew Bowman, a veterinarian from Ohio State University, told CIDRAP News.

• "As great as fairs are for agricultural education, they create situations with multiple species from different farms housed in one spot," he said.

When you go: Mind the CDC's new guidance for fair exhibitors to stop the spread among animals:

• Wash your hands regularly while visiting animal barns or show arenas.
• Avoid eating, drinking, or touching your mouth around the animals.
• If you have kids, leave their toys, pacifiers, bottles, and strollers outside.