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BIRD (AVIAN) FLU -- Highly Pathogenic Asian H5N1 (HPAI)
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Commonly know as Avian Influenza or
bird flu, it is a disease that concerns many people. Avian Influenza (AI)
occurs in North America naturally in a form that does not infect humans (Low
Pathogenic Avian Influenza, or LPAI). The
disease that has affected humans in other countries, HPAI, is not currently
found in North America.
In the worldwide wild bird population, Avian Influenza is most often found in waterbirds, such as waterfowl (geese, ducks, swans) and shorebirds (sandpiper-type birds). However, there are no documented cases of the disease ever being transmitted to humans from wild birds.
However, if
you find any dead migratory geese, ducks, swans, or shorebirds,
DO NOT PICK THE BIRDS UP FOR TESTING. Please call
the Wildlife Conflicts Information Hotline at 1-800-893-4116
to report the location and number of dead waterfowl. Indiana Department of
Natural Resources and Wildlife Services professionals staff will determine if
testing is necessary.
Indiana resident geese and ducks do not migrate a significant distance; therefore, those waterfowl are not at risk for initial exposure to HPAI and are not a priority in the surveillance program.
To dispose of dead birds: Dead wild birds should not be handled with bare hands. If you do need to dispose of a dead bird, use gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out over your hand to pick up the bird, double bag it, and either bury it or dispose of it in the trash.