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An Update About Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza

5/10/2023

 
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Dear Virginia Migratory Bird Hunters,

We are providing an update about Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), a viral disease that can infect and cause significant mortality in different species of wild and domestic birds.

HPAI was found again in North America in January 2021, the first time it has been detected since 2014-15. It caused some localized mortality events in waterfowl and seabird populations in the winter of 2021 and resulted in the significant loss of domestic poultry in commercial farming operations across the country. As wild birds dispersed and migrated back north this past spring, the number of HPAI events in the U.S. declined. However, the virus was still present in some non-migratory bird populations, and it caused scattered mortality events in some “resident” (or local breeding) Canada goose flocks, some backyard poultry flocks and among some local vulture populations over the past summer and fall. It has been detected again this fall in migratory waterfowl along the east coast and in Virginia. We expect it to be even more prevalent than last winter, especially as more waterfowl and other migratory birds congregate on their migration and wintering grounds.

Most migratory waterfowl, shorebirds and sea bird species generally do not die or even show any signs of illness when infected. However, waterfowl that are carrying the virus can transmit it other bird species that are much more susceptible to the disease including raptors, turkey, quail, and grouse. In addition, domestic poultry are highly susceptible to the disease, and HPAI has the potential to cause significant bird mortalities and economic losses to the commercial chicken and turkey industry across the United States.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk of HPAI infection from wild birds to people and pets (including hunting dogs) to be very low. However, the following safety guidelines can help to prevent the transmission of the virus to poultry and other birds and help to ensure that your harvested game is safe to eat.
  • Do not handle or butcher birds that are obviously sick or are found dead.
  • Avoid contact with urates, feces, and bodily fluids when plucking and cleaning birds.
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning game.
  • Wear rubber gloves and other PPE such as safety glasses, and washable clothing when cleaning game.
  • Wash tools and working surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% solution of chlorine bleach.
  • Keep uncooked game in a separate container, away from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
  • Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or disinfectant wipes immediately after handling game. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol wipes or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
  • Cook game meat thoroughly – birds should reach an internal temperature of 165°F as measured by a meat thermometer to kill disease-causing organisms and parasites.
If you have poultry or pet birds at home:
  • If you dress birds at home, clean them in an area that your poultry and pet birds cannot access.
  • Keep a separate pair of shoes to wear only in your game cleaning area. If this is not possible, wear rubber footwear and clean/disinfect footwear before entering or leaving the area.
  • Use dedicated tools for cleaning game, whether in the field or at home. Do not use those tools around your poultry or pet birds.
  • Double bag the offal and feathers. Tie the inner bag and be sure to take off your rubber gloves and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed.
  • Place the bag in a trash can that poultry and pet birds cannot access. This trash should also be stored away from children, pets, or other animals.
  • Wash tools and working surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10% solution of chlorine bleach.
If you have direct contact with a potentially infected bird, monitor yourself for illness for 10 days. Call your medical provider and seek prompt medical care if you experience fever/chills, cough, sore throat, muscle/body aches, headache, runny/stuffy nose, conjunctivitis, nausea, abdominal pain, diarrhea, or difficulty breathing/shortness of breath. Let your provider know you had contact with a potentially HPAI-infected bird. You can also contact your local health department.

If you see a sick or dead eagle, hawk, owl, or turkey (excluding carcasses found on the road), please notify DWR via the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003. Also, if you see five or more dead vultures, waterfowl, shorebirds, or seabirds in the same area within five days, please notify DWR at the same number. Additional information on reporting dead or sick birds along with how to dispose of bird carcasses can be found on our website, along with links to other sources of information.

We appreciate your vigilance in helping prevent the spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, and we thank you for your support and conservation of our migratory bird resources.
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Last Updated May 5th, 2023