HPAI and Hunting: What Waterfowl Hunters Need to Know

Avian influenza, or bird flu, is caused by an influenza type A virus, which are often carried by wild birds, such as ducks, geese, gulls, and shorebirds. Generally, influenza viruses can infect some wild species without causing signs of disease, but new strains can emerge that cause illness with high mortality in both wild and domestic birds. These strains are designated as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

In early 2022, HPAI was detected in wild birds across several eastern states. In February 2022, the first case of HPAI in New York was found in Suffolk County. At present, HPAI has been detected across the entire country including much of New York State. Some infected wild birds carry the virus without getting sick, which allows the virus to continue to circulate in bird populations. Some mammals, especially carnivores and scavengers that may eat infected birds, have become ill and died from HPAI. Dairy cattle in some states have also been infected with HPAI . The USDA tracks all detections across the country in both wild and domestic birds and mammals and offers guidance on how to protect yourself from infection H5N1 Influenza.

NYSDEC is working with the NYS Department of Agriculture & Markets, U.S. Department of Agriculture, NYS Department of Health, and the Cornell Wildlife Health Lab to monitor HPAI in New York State. If you observe a large die off of birds or sick birds, please report your observations to DEC: https://dec.ny.gov/nature/wildlife-health/animal-diseases.

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention states that HPAI detections in birds pose a low risk to the public. That said, as hunters, you are more likely to come in direct contact with wild, potentially infected birds, as compared to the general population. There are some simple precautions you should take to minimize the risk to yourself and your hunting companions (both human and canine):

• Harvest only game that appears to be healthy.
• Do not handle sick game—report to your state wildlife agency.
• Use personal protective equipment like masks, gloves, and eye protection when handling and cleaning game
• Field dress game outdoors or in a well-ventilated area.
• Do not feed carcass parts to pets or leave behind for other wild animals to scavenge. Seal carcass and unwanted organs in plastic bags for disposal in trash.
• After handling game, wash your hands thoroughly, and clean and disinfect all equipment and surfaces that came into contact with game.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke when handling game.
• Properly cook any game meat you eat to an internal temperature of 165° F to kill the virus.