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Extra H5N1 precautions not slowing down State Fair cattle shows

The barns are full at the Wisconsin State Fair, as the extra precautions for showing lactating cattle did not keep exhibitors away. 

Dr. Tia Kastenson tells Brownfield, “Our animal count is on par with what it has been in past years.”

Kastenson leads the veterinarian team at Wisconsin State Fair and says they’re sticking with the show animal H5N1 testing requirements adopted by Wisconsin and several other states. “All of our lactating dairy cows, which means a cow with milk in its udder is getting tested within seven days of the fair.”

And Kastenson says animals are being closely monitored. “Everything in the barns right now has been checked and then our veterinarians are watching them as they come off the trailer and if there’s anything sick, we’re pulling them and examining them further before their allowed to go into the barns.”

Kastenson says along with cattle, veterinarians pay very close attention to pigs and sheep.  She’s also encouraging fairgoers who enter the barns NOT to touch the animals and to wash their hands before and after visiting the barns.