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State Fair Bans Bird From States Fighting Avian Flu Outbreak

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The state is encouraging all county and independent fairs to also prohibit poultry entries from states with the avian flu.

Officials say poultry from states where a deadly bird flu virus has surfaced won't be permitted at this year's Ohio State Fair.

The state's agriculture department also warns the fair's poultry show may be canceled altogether if the outbreak gets worse.

Since March, the H5N2 virus has led to the deaths of at least 30 million chickens and turkeys in the Midwest.

Ohio Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Erica Hawkins says the fair's situation is evolving and agriculture officials are focused on preventing the flu from coming to Ohio. 

The state is encouraging all county and independent fairs to also prohibit poultry entries from states with the avian flu.

The flu hasn't been linked to human illness.