ST. PAUL (AP) — Minnesota has lifted a ban on poultry exhibitions that was put in place after last spring's bird flu outbreak.

The Minnesota of Animal Health says starting Tuesday, birds will be permitted at fairs, swap meets, exotic sales, petting zoos and other events.

The bird ban led to cancellations of live poultry exhibitions at county fairs and the Minnesota State Fair. The ban was put into effect in May as the lethal H5N2 bird flu raced across the state.

The virus struck 108 farms in Minnesota between early March and early June, resulting in the deaths of 5 million turkeys and 4 million egg-laying chickens.

The animal health board says all infected farms had completed cleaning and disinfection of their facilities as of Nov. 13.

 

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