While the general duck season has come to a close in Virginia, DWR wanted to provide an update on an emerging waterfowl issue. During the week of January 24, 2022, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) was reported in a hunter-harvested American green-winged teal and a hunter-harvested mallard in Henrico County. The following week, a third detection was reported in an American wigeon harvested in Virginia Beach. The virus has also been confirmed in wild waterfowl harvested in Newfoundland and in North and South Carolina since December 2021.
HPAI is caused by infection with an influenza virus. It can cause significant illness and death in domestic poultry. Waterfowl, and some shorebird and sea bird species, generally do not show any signs of illness when infected. However, these species can still transmit the virus to other birds that may get sick or die from the infection, including domestic poultry, raptors, turkey, quail, and grouse.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) considers the risk to the general public from HPAI infection in wild birds, backyard birds, and commercial poultry to be low. The following food safety guidelines 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 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 organisms and parasites.
HPAI is a virus with the potential to cause significant economic losses to Virginia’s poultry industry. The virus has not yet been detected in domestic poultry in Virginia and we are asking waterfowl hunters to help prevent the transmission of this virus from wild waterfowl to domestic birds. By following the guidance below, you can do your part to keep domestic birds safe from this virus.
- Wear rubber gloves when cleaning game.
- Dress your game birds in the field whenever possible.
- If you must 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.
- Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling game. If soap and water are not available, use alcohol wipes or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- 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 can 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.
Please see http://dgifwebtest.gooutdoorsvirginia.com/wildlife/diseases/avian-influenza/ for additional information on HPAI and for updates on this emerging issue.