MDWFP News

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
12/22/2023 9:50:00 AM
From MDWFP

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) has received several reports of sick or dead birds over the past few weeks as an apparent outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been found in some wild birds (similar to last fall/winter). MDWFP staff has assisted USDA Wildlife Services with taking samples from some of these reported birds to submit for HPAI testing, and positive cases are expected to rise throughout the winter as more birds continue to migrate south. Most of the reports so far have involved sick or dead snow and Ross’s geese, but other species have also been impacted.

Avian influenza is caused by an influenza type A virus which can infect poultry (such as chickens, turkeys, pheasants, quail, domestic ducks, geese, and guinea fowl) and wild birds (especially waterfowl). The risk to humans from HPAI infections in wild birds is still considered to be low, but care should be taken to minimize risk.

General Safety Precautions for Waterfowl Hunters:

• Only harvest birds that act and look healthy.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling harvested birds.
• Process harvested birds outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Wear disposable gloves while processing harvested birds.
• Wash hands, utensils, and work surfaces before and after processing birds, as well as before and after handling uncooked meat.
• Keep harvested birds cool until processed, then refrigerate, freeze, or cook to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

The Mississippi Board of Animal Health has a list of HPAI Frequently Asked Questions, which can be found here: https://hpai.ms.gov/information/frequently-asked-questions/. Sick or dead birds can be reported through the contact information below. Biologists and other agency staff will determine from reports if a follow-up or sample collection is warranted, based on species affected and location.

• USDA Wildlife Services: 662-325-3014
• MDWFP: 601-432-2199
• Mississippi Board of Animal Health Online Report Form at https://agnet.mdac.ms.gov/MBAHReportableDiseases/publicreportingform

Suggested methods for disposing of bird carcasses:

1. Dead birds should not be handled with bare hands. Maintain a physical barrier.
2. To collect or remove dead birds from the environment:
   1. Pick up the bird with doubled plastic bags that have been turned inside out.
   2. Then, invert and seal the doubled plastic bag with the bird inside.
3. To dispose of the bird:
   1. Place the bag in household garbage.
   2. As an alternative, bury the dead bird (no bag) by handling the bird with a shovel.
4. Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.