- An American wigeon, like the one shown in this photo, that was harvested in Limestone County was found to be infected with Eurasian H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. [COURTESY PHOTO/MICK THOMPSON]
Wild duck infected with avian flu found in Limestone Co.
Published 9:16 am Friday, March 4, 2022
The Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (ADCNR) announced on Thursday that it has gotten confirmation that a harvested American Wiegeon, which is a wild duck, in Limestone County was infected with Eurasian H5 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI).
This appears to be one of the first confirmed cases of HPAI in Alabama.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service confirmed the case.
Eurasian H5 HPAI was detected in South Carolina in January, and it has been detected in 14 other states since then.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention say Eurasian H5 HPAI’s risk to humans is low.
The virus can infect the respiratory and gastrointestinal tracts of birds and can spread rapidly to cause a high mortality rate in infected birds, according to the ADCNR release.
Wild birds can be infected with avian influenza without appearing sick, ADCNR stated.
Hunters are asked to minimize direct contact with wild birds by using gloves.
If contact occurs, wash your hands with soap and water and change clothes before having any contact with healthy domestic poultry and birds.
WANT TO KNOW MORE?
For information about the risk of avian influenza to humans, go to this link.
