Practice Good Hygiene, ODA Vet Stresses

The Multnomah County fair kicks off county fair season in Oregon this weekend, and it brings renewed warnings from the Oregon Department of Agriculture.  State Veterinarian Dr. Ryan Scholz encourages people to visit livestock exhibits and interact with animals at the fair.

“For most people that live in the city, you’re not going to have that opportunity anywhere else," he said.  "That is a critical connection between our rural communities and our urban communities. So, that’s really important.”

But, Scholz said it’s also important to practice good hygiene during and after those visits.  He said exhibitors also need to take precautions.

“Making sure that the animals we’re taking to fair are healthy and that, when they come home from fair, they’re being isolated.”

Last year’s fair season was marred by fears over bird flu.  Scholz said that risk remains, but it’s not as urgent.

“Now, we’ve had a year of experience with that virus," Scholz said.  "We know what it looks like, we know where it is right now.”

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