INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Indiana officials have imposed a ban on moving poultry and other birds to events in hopes of preventing the spread of deadly bird flu.

The State Board of Animal Health said Wednesday the ban includes county fairs, exhibitions and all events where birds are commingled. The ban also includes public bird sales at flea markets, swap meets and sale barns.

The ban will likely remain in place through the rest of 2015.

State Veterinarian Bret Marsh says the goal is to protect Indiana’s commercial poultry industry and small, backyard flocks of chickens and other birds from a virus that’s caused the deaths of more than 40 million birds.

Sixteen states, including Indiana, have had diagnosed cases of the disease.

The virus poses little threat to humans.