By Leigh Ann Towne
The Michigan State Fair is renewing livestock biosecurity measures ahead of Labor Day weekend after swine flu was detected at the Kent County Fair.
L.C. Scramlin, the State Fair's livestock and agriculture director and general manager of the Oakland County Fair, said the Kent County case prompted Michigan fairs to revisit their protocols.
Scramlin also serves as chairman of the animal health committee for the Michigan Association of Fairs and Exhibitions. He said the state association was contacted by the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development after swine flu was confirmed at the Kent County Fair.
“We had one case at Kent County Fair, and so then all of us and I know now kicking in, of course, with my fair is done, but the state fair and is coming up, so we of course have actually discussed and went back through the protocols that we actually used to, and we've actually had them in place,” Scramlin said.
Scramlin said the State Fair has an advantage over many county fairs because the Vibe Credit Union Showplace is not regularly used for livestock events.
The State Fair's equipment is brought out of storage, set up and disinfected before animals arrive.
“We go through a disinfectant procedure, even though it hasn't been exposed to animals, it has been in storage and not been used,” Scramlin said.
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