LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — The Nevada Department of Wildlife says that the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is currently active within the wild bird population in Southern Nevada.
"Both domestic and wild geese at Sunset Park have shown symptoms of the disease, and some have died," the department said. The tests on the birds were performed by the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.
According to the department, HPAI is a contagious virus in wild waterfowl without any signs of illness and low mortality rates.
"There have been reports of birds showing symptoms at other area parks," the department continues. Due to the contagious nature of HPAI, it likely already exists in wild bird populations throughout the state, according to NDOW Wildlife Veterinarian Nate LaHue.
“HPAI typically doesn’t have much of an impact on the overall population of waterfowl,” said NDOW Wildlife Veterinarian Nate LaHue. “However, with waterfowl hunting seasons approaching, we encourage hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to take proper precautions to keep themselves and their pets safe and help prevent the spread of HPAI to domestic birds.”
HPAI has been detected throughout the U.S. since December 2021, and in July 2022, the USDA and Nevada Department of Agriculture confirmed the first case of the virus in Nevada in a backyard flock of domestic birds in Carson City. Since then, the disease has been confirmed in multiple geese and ducks in Reno, in bird of prey species across western Nevada, and during routine surveillance of waterfowl in western Nevada.
The current strain of the virus appears to pose a low risk for human infection, but those who work with wild birds, especially waterfowl, are at higher risk of exposure and should wear appropriate personal protective equipment.
To keep yourself, pets, and domestic poultry safe there are some simple steps you can follow.
Hunters are encouraged to:
- Never handle, consume, or bring home sick or dead waterfowl.
- Harvest only birds that appear and act healthy.
- Wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning birds and do so in a well-ventilated area.
- Remove intestines and discard soon after harvesting and avoid direct contact with them.
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling carcasses.
- Wash hands after handling game and clean equipment.
- Cook all game to an internal temperature of 165F before consuming.
Other information for everyone to keep in mind includes:
- Contact NDOW at 775-688-1500 if you notice sick birds or unusual levels mortality of ducks or other birds.
- Sick birds can be found in urban or rural settings and HPAI can be carried and passed on to other animals.
- Dogs and other mammals may be susceptible to HPAI:
- Do not let your dog come into contact with sick birds or dead birds that you have not harvested.
- Do not let your dog consume raw meat including from waterfowl.
- If your dog becomes ill, seek veterinary care and mention that you have been hunting with your dog.
The information provided in this article was provided by the Nevada Department of Wildlife.
