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JF Griffin - Index

JF Griffin - magazine - Index

What You Need to Know
NJ Department of Environmental Protection Division of Fish and Wildlife
The highly pathogenic H5N1 avian influenza virus has never been found in New Jersey or North America,
but your help is needed for tracking this virus. If you find sick or dead birds, do not handle them. Report
dead birds to the USDA – Wildlife Services at (866) 4-USDA-WS
Background
Highly pathogenic avian influenza type H5N1, commonly
called “bird flu,” is a virus which can be deadly to birds, particularly
poultry. Bird flu has received much media attention
since the virus also affects humans in portions of Asia and
Africa. There are many strains of this virus, each classified
as “low pathogenic” or “highly pathogenic,” referring to the
potential for the virus to kill birds, not to infect people.
Avian influenza viruses persist in cool, moist environments
such as wetlands. Wetland birds like waterfowl, shorebirds
and gulls are considered a natural reservoir for many avian
influenza viruses. In waterfowl, the occurrence of low pathogenic
virus strains peaks in late summer and early fall but
the birds rarely develop debilitating signs. In shorebirds, the
peak occurrence of low pathogenic virus exposure occurs
during spring migration.
Reports of H5N1-infected birds in Asia, Europe and Africa
have increased since this strain was first confirmed. It is
found mainly in poultry and wild birds, but may occur in some
mammals. Despite a significant surveillance effort in domestic
and wild birds, to date the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus
has not been found in North America.
What surveillance efforts are being done to detect
Bird Flu?
Federal and state agricultural and wildlife agencies will continue
to conduct continent-wide surveillance for the highly
pathogenic H5N1 virus. Tens of thousands of wild bird and
environmental (water and fecal) samples are tested each
year. In 2008, more than 60,000 wild birds and 25,000 fecal
samples will be tested nationwide.
New Jersey Division of Fish and Wildlife is working in cooperation
with the U.S. Department of Agriculture - Wildlife Services
and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor wild
birds. Emphasis in wild bird surveillance will be on wetland
migratory birds, particularly waterfowl.
Waterfowl hunters play a key role in surveillance. Hunters
may be approached by various wildlife agency staff at key
hunting sites with a request to take samples from harvested
birds. Most samples are taken via swabs from the cloaca
and mouth of harvested birds. Bird mortality events suggestive
of avian influenza will also be investigated.
Information For Hunters
Although the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus is mainly a poultry
disease, wild birds appear to play some role in its spread.
Currently there is little evidence that hunting dogs can contract
the virus. Dog owners should consult their veterinarian
for more information about influenza in pets. The risk to hunters
appears low, but much is still unknown about this virus.
Hunters can take reasonable steps to minimize their chance
of contracting any potential bird virus.
Precautions for Handling Harvested Wild Birds
Do not handle or consume game animals that are
obviously sick or found dead.
78 | New Jersey Fish & Wildlife Digest Buy your license or permit online at August 2008
2008 Hunting and Trapping Issue www.NJFishandWildlife.com
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Wear rubber gloves when cleaning birds.
Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning birds.
Keep your hands away from your face and mouth
when cleaning birds.
Wash your hands with soap and water immediately
after handling birds.
Disinfect your work area and knives with a 10%
bleach solution.
Cook birds completely. The juices should be clear
with no pink meat. Use a meat thermometer to
ensure the internal meat temperature has reached
a minimum of 165° F.