What is Avian Influenza (Bird Flu),
and what can I do?
Beginning in January of this year, highly pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) A(H5) viruses have been detected in US wild aquatic birds, commercial poultry and backyard or hobbyist flocks. At the end of March, the EA-H5 strain has caused illness and death in some species of wild birds in Wisconsin including bald eagles, shorebirds, and waterfowl.
As of May 10th, there have been 1,112 wild birds in 36 states and 37,550,189 poultry in 34 states reported. In early May, Barron County, had an outbreak with a flock of 20,100 commercial turkey meat birds affected.
The CDC considers risk to humans to be low. One person tested positive in Colorado who had direct exposure to infected poultry, had mild symptoms and was treated with antivirals and recovered.
What can I do?
•Safely cook poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill bacteria and viruses, including bird flu.
•Always wash your hands after handling poultry and eggs
Who can I contact?
•If you find a dead bird, contact the Wisconsin Dead Bird Reporting Hotline at 800-433-1610 or the website DNRWildlifeSwitchboard@wisconsin.gov
•Report unusual signs in birds you have seen in the wild to the DNR Wildlife Hotline at 608-267-0866
•Don’t touch the carcass with your bare hands
Hunters who handle wild birds should:
•Wear gloves when dressing birds
•Field dress whenever possible
•Wash your hands with soap and water after dressing birds
If you’ve been exposed contact your health care provider and watch for the following symptoms during the ten days after your exposure:
•Fever (temperature of 100°F or greater) though it may not always be present
•Feeling feverish/Chills
•Cough
•Sore throat
•Difficulty breathing/Shortness of breath
•Eye tearing, redness or irritation
•Headaches
