Officials with Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources have detected the presence of highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in western Kentucky, following the testing of two samples taken from two snow geese in the Sloughs Wildlife Management Area in Henderson County.
Dr. Christine Casey, of the Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Virology Laboratory, confirmed it, after the two birds were found dead December 18, 2023.
Casey called HPAI “highly infectious,” and often deadly in wild and domestic birds, and she said the practicing of good biosecurity — while limiting contact between wild birds and domestic flocks can be crucial to the preventing spread.
Infected birds, she said, spread the virus through their saliva, mucus and feces. Symptoms of HPAI in include uncoordinated movements, droopy wings, lethargy, unwillingness to fly, swimming in circles and head tremors.
Waterfowl hunters or people hiking through waterfowl habitats such as wetlands, ponds, lakes and streams are encouraged to take precautions by wearing gloves, changing shoes and disinfecting exposed tools or materials before coming into contact with poultry flocks or other domestic birds at home.
Per the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the risk to human health posed by HPAI continues to be low. Meat or eggs harvested from wild or domestic birds do not present a food safety risk when handled or cooked properly.
Since waterfowl season remains open, hunters are urged to follow these routines when handling wild game:
* Do not harvest, handle or consume wild birds that are obviously sick or otherwise found dead.
* Dress harvested waterfowl outside or in a well-ventilated area.
* Wear gloves and wash hands with soap and warm water after handling wild birds and disposing of carcasses. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
* Disinfect any equipment (knives and surfaces) that touch birds. Use dedicated tools for cleaning game and avoid using them around poultry or pet birds.
* Do not eat, drink or smoke when handling or cleaning game birds.
* Double bag the feathers and other remains. Tie the inner bag, take off your gloves and leave them in the outer bag before tying it closed. Place the bag in the trash and close the lid on the receptacle. Discard in a trash can with a secure lid to prevent scavengers from getting the carcass.
* All game should be thoroughly cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.
* Do not feed dogs raw or undercooked meat from harvested waterfowl.
Hunters and the public can help with the department’s HPAI surveillance efforts by reporting sick or dead waterfowl, raptors including hawks and eagles, vultures, or groups of dead birds (five or more) by reporting observations via the online HPAI Survey portal or by calling the agency’s Information Center at 1 (800) 858-1549.
