Bird flu cases reported in Delaware; how you can protect yourself

Ryan Cormier, Delaware News Journal
·2 min read

Several cases of bird flu have been discovered in Delaware as the Eurasian H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza sweeps across North America, federal officials confirmed Monday.

The bird flu was discovered in eight wild ducks and a Canada goose in Kent County and a red-shouldered hawk in New Castle County, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.

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The ducks — five northern shovelers, one American wigeon, one black duck and a gadwall — had been submitted for testing by hunters, Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control officials said. The goose was tested after it had died and the hawk was tested after it had been taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue for rehabilitation.

Several cases of the bird flu have been found in Delaware in recent days, including in a red-shouldered hawk that had been taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue for rehabilitation.
Several cases of the bird flu have been found in Delaware in recent days, including in a red-shouldered hawk that had been taken to Tri-State Bird Rescue for rehabilitation.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is working with federal and state partners on additional avian influenza surveillance and testing throughout the state.

State officials said the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention considers the risk to the general public from HPAI infections to be low and no human infections with the virus have occurred in the United States.

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"As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165°F will kill bacteria and viruses, including HPAI," officials said.

Eight other states in the Atlantic Flyway — a major north-south path for migratory birds that hugs the East Coast — have found the bird flu in wild birds this year. It's believed to be widespread in migratory waterfowl with wild ducks, geese and shorebirds carrying the disease to new areas when migrating.

The bird flu is a respiratory disease of birds caused by an influenza Type A virus, which can infect poultry (chickens, ducks, quail, pheasants, guinea fowl and turkeys) and some wild bird species (ducks, geese, swans, shorebirds, hawks and owls).

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HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF FROM BIRD FLU

  • Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.

  • Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.

  • Wear rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.

  • Wash hands with soap and water immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.

  • Wash all tools and work surfaces with soap and water.

  • Avoid food cross-contamination. Keep uncooked game in a separate container, away from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.

  • Cook game meat thoroughly; poultry should reach an internal temperature of 165 °F to kill disease organisms and parasites.

Source: Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control

This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Bird flu confirmed in Delaware, what to do to stay safe