Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Avian Bird Flu in South Dakota - The term Bird Flu has sparked interest, concern and even panic in some parts of the world. The fact that the virus may be carried in migrant populations of wild birds means that it can be transported from one country, and even continent, to another.

There are two mistakes that can be made when weighing the risks of bird flu. One would be panic, the other to be complacent.

What is it? There are three types of influenza viruses: Types A, B and C. Types B and C usually occur only in humans and are milder strains.

Type A is the more serious strain of influenza. It is the strain that has led to some of the serious, even lethal, outbreaks of influenza that occur two or three times a century and affect large portions of the globe. Type A virus strains can occur in humans and animals, including pigs, horses, whales, seals…and birds.

Bird flu is the common name for a variety of strains of the avian influenza virus. Recent use of the term in the media has become specifically attached to one specific strain of the virus: Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus H5N1.

In its current form, H5N1 spreads primarily from wild and domesticated bird sources through fecal and saliva contamination of water. It does not spread readily through the air, and does not pass readily from human to human contact.

What makes a flu virus like H5N1 such a concern is the ability of viruses to mutate and change how they act. At one point they may be unable to spread from human to human. Then, a quick shift in their nuclear structure and suddenly they are spreading through human contact.

The movement and adaptation of Type A flu viruses from wild birds to new host species - especially mammals - is not common. But health officials are concerned that a major flu outbreak could occur if the virus mutates into a form that can spread easily from person to person. It also seems to be developing a resistance to certain flu drugs.

Where does it come from and where is it located? The origins of H5N1 are not clear. Wild birds represent the historic source for Type A influenza viruses affecting both domestic birds and mammals. Viruses similar to H5N1 often cause high mortality in domestic poultry.

The first reports of poultry die-offs came from Asia. Prior to this, there was only one historic case of any wild bird mortality associated with avian influenza virus. That was an outbreak in South Africa in the 1960s that caused mortality in common terns.

There are increasing reports of H5N1 infecting and causing death in wild birds in Asia, and now reports in Europe as well. There are concerns that the virus could be carried to North America by migrating waterfowl. At this time, there is no evidence to suggest that H5N1 virus is present anywhere in North America.

How does it move and does it affect waterfowl and waterfowl hunting? Movement of H5N1 through wild populations of waterfowl has been documented. There is concern that this may lead to an introduction of the virus from northern Asia into North America via Alaska. Some individual birds do migrate from Siberia through Alaska and eventually into South Dakota every fall. And some migratory bird species move between Asia, Europe and North America. However, genetic studies of avian influenza viruses from Eurasia and North America suggest that there is very limited exchange of avian influenza viruses between continents.

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, U.S. Geological Survey, USDA APHIS, Alaska Department of Fish and Game, the Central Flyway Council and several public health agencies have formed a coalition to watch for occurrences of the virus in wild birds in Alaska. So far, there has been no evidence of such an occurrence.

What is SDGFP doing about it? In South Dakota, the Department of Game, Fish and Parks has a major role in the management of wild birds. Any time these wild bird resources are involved with human or animal health concerns, state and federal agencies become involved and work together. Citizens will be updated whenever there is a change in the status of the occurrence of the virus.

GFP Wildlife Division staff will continue to keep current, involved and updated as to the status of the virus. Staff will investigate and test as necessary suspicious and/or concerned reports. For now, there is no indication that wild waterfowl species hunted in North America are infected with H5N1

What precautions should hunters take? Taking precautions in the cleaning and care of game animals has always been an essential part of the hunting experience. Although there is currently no recognized avian flu health risk associated with hunting upland game birds or waterfowl in South Dakota, some common sense suggestions for the safe care and handling of all game birds are:

1. Do not handle birds if they appear to be sick. Contact a GFP office to report sick or dead birds.
2. Use rubber or latex gloves when handling and cleaning birds.
3. Keep your game birds cool, clean and dry.
4. Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning your birds.
5. Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol gel after dressing birds.
6. Clean all tools and surfaces immediately upon completion of dressing birds. Use hot soapy water, then disinfect with a 10% chlorine bleach solution.
7. Cook game meat thoroughly at a recommended temperature (usually around 160 degrees Fahrenheit).

For more information:
World Health Organization
National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
USDA-APHIS Veterinary Services
USGS National Wildlife Health Center