With waterfowl season underway, officials at Kentucky’s Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources are cautioning hunters about the dangers of avian flu. John Brunjes is the department’s migratory bird program coordinator. He said avian flu has been diagnosed in snow geese in western Kentucky.
“We're starting to see potentially some cases here, where birds are getting this, so we just want hunters to be aware that you've potentially been exposed to it. And we want you to be aware that you know that your dog, if you have a retriever, and he's retrieving ducks that it can be exposed.”
The second waterfowl hunting season of the year runs through January 31st and hunters will be targeting wild ducks and geese. Brunjes said hunters should know a significant number of birds will have avian flu, which can be transmitted to people and other animals.
“If you see a bird that you think is sick, the best thing to do would be to report it to leave it alone and to report it to us. And let us go let us and somebody out there who's got the proper gear to pick it up and not potentially be exposed to it.”
The department advises dressing birds in a well-ventilated area, washing hands for at least 20 seconds after touching them, and not feeding dogs raw or undercooked meat.
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