HARRINGTON — Live poultry events scheduled for the 2022 Delaware State Fair have fallen victim to the nationwide outbreak of avian influenza and threat to poultry flocks on Delmarva.

In efforts to curb the spread of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Delaware Department of Agriculture, in consultation with the State Epidemiologist Office, announced Monday cancellation of all live poultry competitions and exhibits at this year’s state fair.

“With the United States continuing to have positive cases in commercial and backyard and wild bird populations, we have decided that the State Fair should not hold any exhibits of fowl out of an abundance of caution,” Delaware Secretary of Agriculture Michael T. Scuse said in a statement.

Avian influenza is a highly contagious airborne respiratory virus that spreads quickly among birds through nasal and eye secretions and manure.

The 2022 HPAI outbreak has been extensive. Thus far, it has impacted 29 states and more than 235 premises, including commercial poultry and backyard flocks.

The current outbreak is different from 2015 with backyard flocks being affected. With a high level of virus in the wild bird population, poultry that resides outdoors and commingle with wild birds are more susceptible.

“Working with the Delaware Department of Agriculture in protecting animal health and Delaware’s agriculture-based economy remain our top priorities,” said Delaware State Fair General Manager William J. DiMondi in a statement.

HPAI was confirmed in a commercial poultry flock in New Castle County on Feb. 23, triggering a state and federal response between the Delaware Department of Agriculture, Maryland Department of Agriculture and the USDA. The last confirmed case in Delaware was announced on March 17. While there have been no new cases in domesticated poultry in Delaware or Maryland, the uptick in wild bird detections indicates there is still a threat to poultry on Delmarva, fair officials said.

As avian influenza “continues to impact poultry flocks across the state and nation, it is essential we take every possible step to reduce the risk of spreading the virus. We certainly hope to return to a full run of all poultry exhibits at the 2023 fair,” Mr. DiMondi said.

The risk to public health is minimal and no human cases of HPAI have been reported in the United States. Avian influenza does not affect poultry meat or egg products, which remain safe to eat.

This year’s Delaware State Fair takes place July 21-30 on the state fairgrounds in Harrington.