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Education; Wildlife-Disease-Management; Wildlife; Hunting
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Jan. 17, 2024) — The presence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in samples taken from two snow geese at Sloughs Wildlife Management Area (WMA) in Henderson County. The Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study Virology Laboratory confirmed HPAI in the geese after they were found dead on Dec. 18, 2023.
“HPAI is highly infectious and often deadly in wild and domestic birds,” said Dr. Christine Casey, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources veterinarian. “Practicing good biosecurity and limiting contact between wild birds and domestic flocks is crucial to preventing the spread of the disease.”
Infected birds spread the virus through their saliva, mucus and feces. Symptoms of HPAI in infected birds include incoordination, droopy wings, lethargy, unwillingness to fly, swimming in circles and head tremors.
Waterfowl hunters or people hiking through waterfowl habitat (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.
According to 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 does not present a food safety risk when handled or cooked properly.
With waterfowl season still open, hunters are urged to follow routine precautions when handling wild game:
Kentucky Fish and Wildlife asks hunters and the public to 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 (5 or more) by reporting observations via the online HPAI Survey portal or by calling or by calling the agency’s Information Center at 1-800-858-1549, 8 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. (ET) weekdays, excluding holidays.
More information about HPAI and wild birds is available on Kentucky Fish and Wildlife’s website at fw.ky.gov under Avian Influenza.
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