Key Facts:
- The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission will
continue to monitor for avian influenza in free ranging birds.
- Report dead birds at MyFWC.com/bird so
die-offs can be investigated. For assistance in indentifying birds
you are reporting, view our bird
identification page.
- To date, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) H5N1 has not
been detected in humans, poultry, or wild birds in the U.S nor the
entire western hemisphere.
- Protect domestic or captive birds by preventing contact with
wild birds (especially waterfowl).
- Hunters and others handling birds should follow routine
precautions listed below when handling wild birds.
Wild birds can carry a number of avian influenza viruses, most
of which do not cause disease. However, transmission of low
pathogenic strains (causes minimal signs of disease in domestic
poultry) to poultry can result in changes in the virus and the
formation of more highly pathogenic strains (can cause significant
disease in domestic poultry). Recently a Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1) has infected domestic poultry, humans,
and wild birds in Asia, Indonesia, Europe and Africa. There is
concern that migratory wild birds could spread the disease to other
continents; however, it is important to note that HPAI H5N1 has not
been detected in the western hemisphere.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation
Commission (FWC) is conducting AI surveillance in wild bird
populations by monitoring and investigating reports of wild bird
die-offs. FWC is working in cooperation with the Florida
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, University of
Florida,
National Wildlife Health Center, Southeastern Cooperative
Wildlife Disease Study,
Florida Department of Health and wildlife rehabilitators on
this surveillance initiative. We ask the public not to handle
sick or dead birds, however, we strongly encourage the reporting of
all sightings of dead birds to the bird mortality database at MyFWC.com/bird. Wild birds involved in die-offs
will be collected, examined, and tested for Avian Influenza, West
Nile Virus, Exotic Newcastle's Disease, and/or other infectious
agents of concern. FWC is also cooperating with the HPAI
Early Detection Working Group and Atlantic Flyway Council to
potentially monitor for AI in targeted species of migratory
birds. This may include sampling of certain species at hunter
check stations. Surveillance may also involve the sampling of
live-captured birds handled as part of ongoing research
projects.
The HPAI H5N1 virus is not easily transmissible
from birds to people but health officials are concerned it could
develop into another form that spreads readily from person to
person, triggering a global disease outbreak known as a
pandemic.
While it is extremely unlikely that hunters or
people feeding birds could contract HPAI H5N1 from wild birds in
Florida, the following common-sense precautions are always
recommended to reduce the risk of contracting any disease from
wildlife:
- Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or
found dead.
- Wear rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird
feeders.
- Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.
- Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately
after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.
- Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap
and water, then disinfect with a 10% bleach solution.
- Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or
ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.
- Cook game birds thoroughly-meat should reach an internal
temperature of 155 to 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill disease
organisms and parasites.
For more detailed guidelines concerning the
handling of wild birds, please see the USGS National Wildlife Heath
Center, Interim Guidelines for the Protection of Persons Handling
Wild Birds With Reference to Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza
H5N1(
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/index.jsp).
We also advise that direct or indirect contact
between domestic poultry and wild birds, especially waterfowl, be
prevented.
More information on avian flu is available
on the following links:
The official U.S. government Web site for
information on pandemic flu and avian influenza. http://www.pandemicflu.gov/general/#avian
Frequently asked questions about Highly Pathogenic
Avian Influenza Virus H5N1 and wild birds (SCWDS)
http://www.uga.edu/scwds/Avian%20Influenza%20and%20Wild%20Birds%20Fact%20Sheet%20SCWDS.pdf
USGS National Wildlife Heath Center
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/avian_influenza/index.jsp
Interim Guidelines for the Protection of Persons
Handling Wild Birds With Reference to Highly Pathogenic Avian
Influenza H5N1
http://www.nwhc.usgs.gov/publications/wildlife_health_bulletins/WHB_05_03.jsp
U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/issues/AvianFlu/WBAvianFlu.htm
U.S. Department of Agriculture
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/ws/ca/avian_influenza.htm
Florida Department of Health
http://www.doh.state.fl.us/rw_Bulletins/panfluplanindex.html
Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer
Services
http://www.doacs.state.fl.us/ai/main/avian_flu_main.shtml
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/avian/index.htm
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
Bird Mortality Database
http://www.myfwc.com/bird
For further information concerning AI, please
contact:
Henry Cabbage, Media Relations
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
2574 Seagate Dr., Suite 101
Tallahassee, FL 32301
(850) 488-8843
E-mail: Henry.Cabbage@MyFWC.com
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