RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Avian flu has devastated the poultry populations in several states, and North Carolina agriculture officials are doing everything they can to prevent that from happening here.

On Wednesday, Agriculture Commissioner State Troxler announced the suspension of poultry showings and competitions -- including at the State Fair -- from  mid-August to January.

North Carolina has rougly 8,000 poultry farms and is the 3rd leading producer of turkeys and the 4th leading producer of broiler chickens.

More than 47 million birds have been destroyed in other states due to the bird flu.

Backyard chicken enthusiasts are also reminded to follow safety procedures to ensure their poultry don't contract the disease.

Birds exposed to avian flu must be destroyed as the disease can spread quickly. Humans are not impacted by this type of flu.