A quarantine at the Chippewa County Fairgrounds was partially lifted Thursday, September 7, and Friday, September 8, to allow sheep, cattle, and goats to leave after it was determined they were not affected by an illness observed in some of the pigs at the fairgrounds. Some of those animals were released in time to participate in the 101st Stalwart Fair's livestock show, like these sheep handled by (from left) Maddie Hoornstra of Brimley, Lance Cryderman of Pickford, and Mitchell Miller of Pickford. The swine quarantine at the Chippewa County Fairgrounds was lifted Tuesday, September 19, and while sick pigs have recovered, test results to determine the illness were inconclusive.

During fair week August 27 through September 4, several pigs exhibited flu-like symptoms such as coughing, higher-than-normal temperatures, and some diarrhea, Chippewa County Fair Board President Dave Love said.

The fair board called in state veterinarian Bob Robinson on the recommendation of Dr. Clinton Groover of Pickford Veterinary Clinic, who had examined the sick animals.

Dr. Robinson was unable to diagnose the illness, so he ordered laboratory tests and ordered that swine, sheep, cattle, and goats be quarantined on the fairgrounds.

The animals, which ordinarily can leave the fairgrounds by Labor Day, after the fair, remained at the fairgrounds an additional four days until the sheep, cattle, and goats were released. It was determined they posed no health risk, nor did they show any signs of illness.

All of the swine were kept at the fairgrounds until Wednesday, September 13, when some, showing no signs of an illness, were released. By Monday, September 18, many of the remaining 40-orso pigs were cleared to leave the fairgrounds, and the remainder were expected to leave the following day.

They had all remained past September 13 to allow medicine to run its course and cycle through the animals so as not to remain in the meat upon slaughter.

The animals were also detained so they could be watched for signs of illness while awaiting the results of laboratory tests.

Several of the pigs were released for slaughter, where they will be inspected again for illness before they are slaughtered and processed. These animals were purchased at auction Saturday, September 2, and were already headed to slaughter from the fairgrounds, Mr. Love said.

Mr. Love said things have been going well at the fairgrounds, owing to the effort of the fair board and the many volunteers who are helping take care of the animals. The fair board is paying for the additional stay and any other costs associated with the quarantine.

The pigs that were sick are now recovered.

"Everything has been going well so far. The problem seems to be clearing up," Mr. Love said. "We're still waiting for the results from the lab tests. We're taking every precaution we can."

That included issuing the quarantine and watching all the animals for signs of illness to avoid spreading infection to other animals at area farms, and to prevent the contamination of meat products.

Mr. Love said the additional testing at USDA-licensed facilities will provide an added measure of safety for the meat.

Additional information about the quarantine or the fair animals can be obtained by calling Mr. Love at (906) 635-0193.