Protect Poultry from Bird Flu This Fall

By Scout Nelson

As fall hunting season begins, wildlife and livestock specialists are reminding hunters to protect domestic birds and animals from highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI).

Wild birds such as waterfowl, gulls, terns, and shorebirds can carry the H5N1 virus without showing symptoms, making careful biosecurity important for anyone who hunts or owns poultry and livestock.

North Dakota State University Extension veterinarians say hunters who own poultry or livestock should avoid wearing hunting clothes or shoes when caring for their animals. Dr. Jake Galbreath warns that infected birds shed the virus through saliva, mucus, and droppings, which can easily spread disease.

Key biosecurity steps include changing clothes and shoes after hunting, avoiding driving or walking through areas with bird droppings, and cleaning vehicles, tools, and footwear. Hunters are advised to field dress game birds, bag feathers before leaving hunting sites, and wash knives, coolers, and equipment with disinfecting soap.

Visitors who enter barns or coops should wear clean clothes and wash their hands. Reducing spilled feed and litter around animal housing also helps keep wild birds away.

NDSU Extension specialist Mary Keena recommends having a clear biosecurity plan to keep domestic animals safe. Free-range poultry and waterfowl should be housed in coops or pens covered with nets to prevent contact with wild birds.

Hunters should not handle or eat sick or dead wildlife. The North Dakota Game and Fish Department urges washing hands and cleaning utensils with hot water after cleaning game. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises wearing gloves and a face mask when handling wild birds and washing hands thoroughly afterward.

Cooking wild game to 165 degrees Fahrenheit is always recommended. Experts emphasize that properly cooked meat is safe to eat.

By following these precautions, hunters and livestock owners can help protect animals and people from the spread of bird flu during the busy fall hunting season.

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