Avian Influenza

The rate of transmission of avian influenza in songbirds is typically much lower than in some other types of birds. Generally, removal of bird feeders is not necessary unless other factors are present. DWR at times may issue advice for temporary removal of feeders in select locations. If sick or dead birds of any species are witnessed around a bird feeder, it should be removed for several weeks and thoroughly disinfected. Visit the DWR Safe Bird Feeding webpage for additional information.

• Do not handle, harvest, or consume birds that appear sick. Be aware that some birds may appear healthy and still be infected with HPAI.
• Always wear rubber or disposable gloves when handling, field dressing and butchering game birds. Consider wearing facial protection if splashes are expected.
• Do not eat, drink, or put anything in your mouth while handling game birds.
• If possible, dress game birds in the field and thoroughly bury any unused carcass parts near harvest site. Note that a wing must be retained to ID species.
• If unable to dress birds in the field, do so in a well-ventilated area and bury unused parts or double-bag and dispose of them in a secure trash can or landfill.
• Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer after handling birds.
• Clean and disinfect work surfaces and equipment thoroughly after transporting or butchering birds.
• Cook game meat thoroughly—an internal temperature of 165° kills influenza viruses and other disease-causing organisms.
• Change clothes and wash your hands before handling any birds you have at home.
• If you develop any flu-like symptoms after handling waterfowl (fever, body aches, red or itchy eyes, etc.), contact your state or local health department.

• People who own or interact with domestic poultry should not handle any birds displaying signs of neurological (head tilt, lack of coordination, etc.) or respiratory (nasal or eye discharge, coughing, etc.) disease or any wild waterfowl, shorebirds, or seabirds (even if healthy). If this is unavoidable, you should change clothes and shower before interacting with other poultry or pet birds.
• In general, birds suspected of potentially having HPAI should not be rehabilitated. Before transporting birds to a rehab center, contact them first to ensure they have adequate quarantine and biosecurity measures in place and will admit the animal.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex or nitrile gloves, a particulate filtering respirator (N95, KN95, etc.) and eye protection, and protective clothing that can be disinfected or discarded, including non-absorbent coveralls and boots.
• Carcasses should be buried on site or double-bagged and incinerated or disposed of in a secure trash can or landfill.
• Clean equipment, transfer kennels, etc. with soap and water, and then disinfect with a 10% chlorine bleach solution or hospital grade virucide.
• Boots should be disinfected and washable outer clothing (coveralls, etc.), should be bagged and immediately laundered upon return.
• If you develop any flu-like symptoms after handling waterfowl (fever, body aches, red or itchy eyes, etc.), contact your state or local health department.

To reduce the risk of HPAI transmission between waterfowl/birds and domestic poultry or pet or rehabilitation birds, the following additional precautions are recommended:

• Immediately isolate or euthanize birds displaying neurological signs of disease, sudden lethargy, or an abrupt change in behavior from other birds.
• Report waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, raptors, avian scavengers, and upland game birds found dead or euthanized after exhibiting a brief period of neurologic or respiratory symptoms. See below for additional details on notification procedures.
• Avoid feeding wild bird carcasses to captive/exhibit raptors, owls, and crows.
• Routinely wash cages and other facilities to remove all organic debris.
• After washing, disinfect cages using a 10% bleach solution or hospital grade virucide. Follow the label to ensure appropriate contact time.
• Minimize transfer of waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, raptors, avian scavengers, and upland game birds and sick birds between rehabilitation facilities.
• Enhance biosecurity for enclosures that include waterfowl, shorebirds, seabirds, raptors, avian scavengers, upland game birds, or any birds displaying neurological or respiratory signs, to minimize the risk of people becoming carriers of the virus and acting as a vehicle for viral spread to other rehabilitation birds. Recommended biosecurity measures include the following:
  • People that feed or treat these birds or clean their enclosures or cages should not interact directly or indirectly with other rehabilitation birds. If this is not possible, these birds and their enclosures should be treated or handled last.
  • Handlers should wear coveralls and rubber boots when cleaning or walking through enclosure housing these birds.
  • A boot station or foot bath should be present at every entrance or exit to enclosures housing these birds. The disinfectant should be replaced daily or according to the instructions on the label.

HPAI is a reportable disease. Notification procedures regarding sick or dead birds is as follows:

• Rehabilitated waterfowl, seabirds, shorebirds, upland game birds, raptors, or avian scavengers that die should be reported to DWR via the Virginia Wildlife Conflict Helpline at 855-571-9003 or at wildlifehealth@dwr.virginia.gov.
• Unusual poultry illnesses or deaths should be reported to the State Veterinarian’s Office at (804) 692-0601 or at vastatevet@vdacs.virginia.gov or through the USDA’s toll-free number, (866) 536-7593.