The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture and Game
Commission are urging hunters to remain vigilant during waterfowl season.
Hunters are urged to follow a series of tips and biosecurity measures to reduce
the risk of spreading infection of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).
Although HPAI infection in wild animals has been
historically rare, there were cases of infection in wild populations in the
spring outbreak. Signs that hunters
should look for include: sudden death, marked loss of appetite, reduced feed
consumption, cessation of normal flock vocalization, drops in egg production,
depression, coughing, nasal and ocular discharge, swollen face, cyanosis of
comb/wattles, diarrhea (often green in color), and nervous signs such as
paralysis. Infected ducks are typically asymptomatic, but geese are more likely
to have visible symptoms.
Hunters are urged to follow these tips when harvesting
birds: dress wild birds in the field when possible, do not eat, drink or smoke
while cleaning, wear rubber gloves, wash hands with soap and water, wash all
tools and work surfaces, then disinfect. Further, hunters are encouraged to
follow some biosecurity measures, including harvesting or handling obviously
sick birds or those found dead, avoid entering a poultry premises for at least
72 hours after hunting, as well as keeping hunting gear off of poultry
premises.
Game Commission Executive Director R. Matthew Hough states
that hunters are very much on the frontline when it comes to protecting
Pennsylvania from HPAI. “Hunters need to educate themselves to know the
clinical signs of HPAI, and employ safe practices in handling wild birds they
harvest.”
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