Hunters asking about ducks & BF - Fall 2007

[AlaskaDenise]

My avid duck-hunting brother-in-law asked me.... "Why isn't there any bird flu in North American ducks yet?"

My answer - the long migration tends to weed out the carriers when their immune systems are suppressed during migration (per Alaskan scientists). I also mentioned that there is an evolving North American H5N1, which doesn't have all the same properties as the more notorious H5N1.

However.......given the season, that's a valid question.

So, for all those duck hunters out there, what would be our collective answer?


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[Snicklefritz]

Re: Hunters asking about ducks & BF - Fall 2007

Thell them:

1) - Be carefu! Lack of evidence is not evidence of lack. H5N1 was not detected in healthy birds in Europe, and yet is now, according to Niman, endemic in Europe.

2) - Recent research has indicated dogs can be infected with H5N1, and may not show symptoms.

3) - Take care that their dogs do not handle dead waterfowl, unless they killed the birds themselves.

4) - I recommend the use of latex gloves in any case. They wil fit nicely under their working gloves.

I am a trainer of dogs that retrieve migratory waterfowl, and own one of my own. I have been trying to raise awareness of the threat without much succes. Consider this query an open door and feel free to refer anyone who's interested to me. I love waterfowling and retrievers and will give them the truth without unduly alarming them.

Snick

[AlaskaDenise]

Re: Hunters asking about ducks & BF - Fall 2007

Good point about the dogs.

There is plenty of hunter literature about handling birds to avoid any BF, but the dog aspect isn't emphasized.

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