Common Sense Precautions for Hunters and Bird Watchers

Avian influenza primarily infects birds and is rarely passed on to people, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Public health experts say it is possible but unlikely that hunters, or people feeding birds, could contract avian influenza from wild birds in Montana.

Since 1997, about 200 people in Asia, Europe, and Africa—most as a result of direct contacted with infected poultry—have been infected and 115 people died from the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus, a particularly virulent strain of bird flu.

Hunters and others can follow common sense precautions when processing or handling wild game.

• Do not harvest or handle wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
• Wear rubber gloves while cleaning game or cleaning bird feeders.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.
• Wash hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game or cleaning bird feeders.
• Wash tools and work surfaces used to clean game birds with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach—one part chlorine bleach to 10 parts water.
• Separate raw meat, and anything it touches, from cooked or ready-to-eat foods to avoid contamination.
• Cook game meat thoroughly, to an internal temperature of at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

For more information, on wild birds and avian influenza visit FWP Avian Influenza website. For information on pandemic flu preparations visit Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.