News Release

Wildlife officials will test for avian influenza at WMA check stations

October 30, 2007
Contact: Dan Wolf (352) 955-2230

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) and United States Department of Agriculture Wildlife Services biologists will collect samples from hunter-harvested ducks, at several wildlife management area check stations throughout the state, to test for highly pathogenic avian influenza – H5N1. 

Hunters will not need to surrender their ducks, and participation is voluntary. The sampling will involve swabbing the ducks’ respiratory and digestive tracts.  Samples will be shipped to a diagnostic lab, where they will be tested for avian influenza and other diseases. 

The sampling is part of a continuing international surveillance effort to determine if migratory birds carry the H5N1 strain of avian influenza in North America.  Last year, more than 85,000 samples were collected nationwide.  None of the samples tested positive for the virus.

While it is extremely unlikely that hunters could contract avian influenza from wild birds in Florida, officials recommend taking common-sense precautions to reduce the risk of contracting any disease from wildlife. For instance, do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead; wear rubber gloves while cleaning game; clean game outdoors and upwind; and do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.

It’s also important to wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders and wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10-percent bleach solution.

In addition, hunters should separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.

The FWC recommends cooking game birds thoroughly. Meat should reach an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit to kill disease organisms and parasites. 

For more information contact Dan Wolf at 352-955-2230 or Jamie Feddersen at 321-726-2862.