|
 LITTLE
ROCK - There's a lot of media hype surrounding Avian Influenza and its
effect on birds. Some of that publicity is well founded, but is it going
to affect waterfowl in Arkansas?
Arkansas Game and Fish Commission waterfowl program coordinator Andrew
James explains fact from fiction.
Avian Influenza is a very common disease among birds, much like it is in
humans, James says. "There are many forms or “strains” of the avian
influenza, just like the flu virus humans encounter every fall and
winter. It is quite common for birds to have avian influenza. The
concern at this point, and what you have been hearing about on the news,
is over a specific strain of avian influenza, H5N1," he said. "The H5N1
strain is highly pathogenic and can spread rapidly between birds," James
added.
"Officials throughout the world are testing birds for H5N1. The most
likely way H5N1 will enter North America is from birds leaving Asia and
migrating through Alaska. Until H5N1 is detected in Alaska, we do not
have much to worry about. If it is detected in Alaska, testing will
intensify all over North America, including here in Arkansas," James
said.
Earlier this month, it was reported that ducks infected with avian
influenza were detected in Canada. Luckily for Arkansas waterfowlers,
the strain of avian influenza they were infected with has not shown to
be the H5N1 strain, James said. "Unless it proves to be that strain,
there's not much for us to do here in Arkansas," he explained.
Right now the H5N1 strain is not showing signs that it is highly
contagious to or between humans, but the fear is that it will mutate and
find a way to spread from birds to humans and then human to human. That
has not happened.
"There are no specific precautions our hunters should take at this
point, just common sense. They should always be sure to cook their birds
completely before eating them and make sure they clean up very well
after the birds are processed, including the knives and any tools they
might have used," he added.
James said that any hunter finding a dead or
sick bird while duck hunting should not harvest or eat the duck. Hunters
who find dead or sick birds should also call the AGFC at (800) 364-4263
in Little Rock or any of the AGFC regional offices to report the
location of the dead or sick birds. |
