The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is warning waterfowl hunters about a possible avian influenza surge.
Indiana, along with other states, was affected by an outbreak of a highly pathogenic avian flu earlier this year. Avian influenza declined through the summer, however, some states have recently had an increase in wild bird deaths associated with the disease. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, or DNR, is advising hunters to be aware of a potential resurgence of avian influenza as waterfowl hunting seasons progress, according to an DNR news release.
DNR has partnered with the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services to test hunter-harvested waterfowl for highly pathogenic avian influenza during the early season at multiple DNR Fish & Wildlife areas, including Goose Pond, LaSalle, and Jasper-Pulaski, officials said.
Symptoms of avian influenza can differ depending on the individual animal, and some animals that have the virus do not display any symptoms, DNR officials say.
Waterfowl with symptoms will often display unusual behaviors such as swimming in circles, tremors, a twisted neck and/or have a general lack of coordination. Additionally, sick birds may display nasal discharge, a cough, sneezing and/or diarrhea, according to the news release.
If hunters see birds displaying these signs, or if they find multiple dead birds in a single area, they should report the case to Indiana DNR online at on.IN.gov/sickwildlife.
Hunters can also take several precautions to slow the spread of avian influenza. These precautions include not harvesting birds that appear sick or are found dead and wearing gloves and washing hands before and after handling carcasses, DNR officials say.
More information about avian influenza can be found at on.IN.gov/avian-flu.
