What North Carolina Hunters Should
Know About Avian Influenza (Bird Flu)

Download PDF of this document

Quick Facts About Avian Influenza
and the H5N1 form of the Virus

  • Bird flu, or Avian Influenza (AI), is an infectious viral disease found in domestic poultry and in wild birds. Aquatic birds, particularly waterfowl and shorebirds, are considered natural reservoirs of the virus. Low pathogenic forms of the AI virus are common in wild bird populations.
  • The AI virus is found in a small proportion of birds, and infection typically causes few, if any, symptoms. The virus is present in feces, saliva and nasal discharges.
  • A particularly virulent strain of the AI virus has emerged in poultry and wild birds in Europe and Asia. This highly pathogenic form of the disease, HPAI H5N1, has caused mortality in domestic poultry and wild species of ducks, geese, swans, egrets, herons and gulls.
  • Highly pathogenic H5N1 has not been found in North America.
  • It is not yet clear what role wild birds might play in the movement and distribution of the H5N1 virus. However, the spread of the virus into new regions of Europe and Asia raise concerns that the H5N1 virus could be carried to North America by migrating birds.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can humans catch the Avian Influenza virus from wild birds?

There is no known case where wild birds have passed the AI virus to humans.

How has the H5NI strain of AI affected humans?
In Asia, HPAI H5N1 has caused illness and death in people, mostly in Thailand and Viet Nam. Most human cases of the H5N1 virus are thought to have been acquired through direct handling of infected poultry, consumption of uncooked or undercooked poultry products, or contact with virus-contaminated surfaces and materials. Direct person-to-person transmission of the H5N1 virus is not known to have occurred.
How could the H5NI strain reach North America?
H5N1 is most likely to reach North America through the movement of infected poultry, illegally imported birds and/or bird products, or through migratory waterfowl and shorebirds.
How concerned should migratory bird hunters be about H5N1?
At this time, hunters should not be overly concerned, but should stay informed and educated on the issue. Public health organizations, such as the Centers for Disease Control and the World Health Organization, and state wildlife agencies will continue to provide up-to-date information on HPAI H5N1.
How can I protect myself from diseases of bird while hunting?

Hunters should follow some common sense precautions when handling wild birds:

  1. Never handle birds that are obviously sick or birds that are found dead.
  2. Keep all game birds cool, clean and dry.
  3. Use rubber or latex gloves and do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning your birds.
  4. Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes after cleaning your birds.
  5. Clean all tools and surfaces immediately following dressing birds. Use hot, soapy water, then disinfect with a 10% bleach solution.
  6. Cook meat to 165°F to kill any disease organisms.

What is being done to detect HPAI H5N1 in wild birds?

A collaborative, interagency working group of scientists, public health officials and policy makers are developing a surveillance plan for early detection of HPAI H5N1 in North American birds. Cooperating agencies include the Department of the Interior, Health and Human Services, and Agriculture, the International Association of Fish and Wildlife Agencies, and state natural resource agencies. The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission (WRC) has been conducting surveillance for Avian Influenza in wild birds since the summer of 2004. We will expand our efforts in 2006 to assist in the national effort to monitor the status of AI in wild birds. The increase in monitoring for AI will focus on those species which might have interchange with wild birds migrating from Europe and Asia.

How can North Carolina hunters help?

Hunters in North Carolina can help monitor the health of wild bird populations by reporting any large die-offs of birds in your area to WRC. During the hunting season, hunters can participate in the surveillance effort by allowing WRC biologists to take samples from harvested waterfowl and/or other birds.

More information

National Wildlife Health Center

United States Department of Agriculture

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Official U.S. Government Web Site on pandemic flu and avian influenza

Southeastern Cooperative Wildlife Disease Study


For specific questions about Avian influenza in North Carolina or to report dead birds call:

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Division of Wildlife Management
Raleigh, North Carolina
919-707-0050


Return to Top of Page