Avian flu found in waterfowl in some counties. Hunters, others advised to take care.
Avian flu has recently been detected in dead waterfowl in LaPorte, Lake, Porter, Starke and seven other counties in the state, meaning that hunters and others should take care if they're handling waterfowl, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources has reported.
The state has detected 98 cases of the highly pathogenic avian influenza that has caused bird deaths since 2022. The most recent detections were found in the past month and a half. The other counties where it was found include Allen, Benton, Hamilton, Newton, Pike, Tippecanoe and Vermillion.
Most of the infected waterfowl are snow geese and Canada geese, but the DNR said it has also detected it in mute swans, tundra swans, mallards, American white pelicans, common goldeneyes and double crested cormorants.
The public health risk for avian flu is low, but humans can still contract it, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Some domestic and farm animals are also susceptible to the virus, including poultry, cattle and cats.
People should always avoid contact with sick wildlife. If they must handle a carcass, they're advised to wear disposable gloves and a mask and wash hands with soap and water immediately afterwards.
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that hunters should wear gloves and a mask to process harvested birds and do so in a well-ventilated area or outdoors. The meat should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees before eating it.
The following are signs that waterfowl may have avian flu: sudden death; neurological impairment (like a lack of coordination or twitches); lack of energy or appetite; swelling of the head, neck and eyes; nasal discharge; and cough, sneezing or diarrhea.
If you find wild waterfowl that have these symptoms or are dead for no clear reason, report it online at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.
Find columnist Joseph Dits on Facebook at SBTOutdoorAdventures or 574-235-6158 or jdits@sbtinfo.com.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Waterfowl detected with avian flu What hunters, others should know
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