NASHVILLE, Tenn. – There are 67 county fairs scheduled across Tennessee this year. According to the Tennessee Department of Agriculture (TDA), roughly 218,000 animals will be showcased at this year’s fairs.

With this in mind, the TDA Animal Health Division has launched its “Know Before You Show” campaign to remind livestock exhibitors, families and fair personnel that there are biosecurity steps that can be made to prevent the spread of disease and protect Tennessee’s livestock industry.

“Everyone involved in Tennessee’s livestock and animal agriculture has a role in keeping diseases from spreading,” said Tennessee State Veterinarian Samantha Beaty. “Healthy animals make for a successful show experience, and early action protects not only the exhibitor’s animal but others at the event and our broader agricultural community.

“Livestock shows bring animals from many farms together, increasing the risk of contagious diseases spreading through direct animal contact, shared equipment or human movement. Disease can spread quickly in these settings if precautions aren’t followed.”

Common conditions to look for, Beaty said, are pink eye, warts, abscesses, respiratory illness, ringworm, club lamb fungus, cough or anything appearing transmissible.

Exhibitors, she said, should contact a veterinarian if they observe rapid weight loss, diarrhea or dehydration, sudden fever, lethargy or breathing problems.

“Exhibitors are urged to call their veterinarian if they observe signs any of these symptoms,” Beaty said. “Any animals that show any clinical signs or contagious or communicable disease will be sent home immediately and won’t be permitted on the show grounds. We want exhibitors to have a good time and at the same time take care of their livestock by protecting them from transmitting disease.

Beaty said all animals at each fair or show must be accompanied with a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection (CVI) issued in satisfaction of the Tennessee Fair Regulations. The certificates are valid for 90 days for Tennessee livestock only. Animals developing signs of disease after inspection but during the period the CVI is valid are still subject to rules refusing entry of animals with contagious diseases to exhibitions and shows.

“We here at the TDA Animal Health Division realize that exhibitors are putting in long hours getting their animals ready for shows and exhibitions, so I recommend checking the animals several times each day to ensure there are no abnormalities with the animals,” Beaty said.

The Animal Health Division advises on key things exhibitors can do before, during and after the show.

Before the show, animals should be carefully inspected for obvious concerns such as lesions, scabs, warts or other general tell-tale signs of illness. New animals should be isolated for at least two-four weeks. All equipment should be cleaned and disinfected, flies should be under control and proper ventilation is a must, Beaty said.

At the show, exhibitors are advised not to share equipment, keep pens clean and dry, and wash hands frequently, using gloves as needed.

After the show, all equipment, trailers and clothing should be disinfected. Participating animals should be isolated from the rest of the herd for 10 to 14 days. Finally, monitor the animal daily for signs of illness.

“Diseases spread quickly when animals are gathered together,” Beaty said. “Common routes for disease also include shared grooming tools and equipment, nose-to-nose contact between animals, dirty pens and bedding, insects such as flies, and humans carrying germs on their hands, clothing and footwear.”

CVIs are to accompany all animals to the respective shows with the exception of in-state Tennessee equine and poultry. In-state Tennessee equine (6 months of age and older) must have a negative Equine Infectious Anemia test within the preceding 12 months. Poultry assembled at shows or exhibitions should be accompanied by evidence of a negative test for Pullorum-Typhoid within 90 days or be tested on-site prior to exhibition following strict biosecurity procedures, or originate directly from a flock which has been certified as Pullorum-Typhoid Clean under the Tennessee Poultry Improvement Plan.

Event biosecurity, Beaty said, is in place thanks to the National Assembly of State Animal Health Officials and the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians. The two organizations have joined efforts to better protect fair attendees from disease. Such strategies in place include easy access to hand washing stations and signage that informs attendees that there is no eating or drinking permitted in animal areas and to wash hands frequently. There will be signage informing parents there will be no pacifiers, sipping cups or strollers allowed in the animal exhibition areas. And, the two organizations discourage exhibitors sleeping in the pens.