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Source: http://www.thetundradrums.com/articl...t_of_free_ammo
Published on June 9th, 2010
Avian-flu test effort hands out of free ammo
By LOGAN TUTTLE
Hunters in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are continuing to play an important role in a federal early warming system to keep avian bird flu from reaching the shores of the United States.
So far these hunters have brought in about 14,000 birds to 10 village test centers, as part of the five-year-old effort.
To encourage participation, federal officials have handed out more than 15,000 shotgun shells to Alaska subsistence hunters bringing in dead migratory birds for testing.
So far, the strain that affects humans has not been found anywhere in the United States, said Kelsey Hustedt, avian influenza coordinator for Bethel's regional hospital.
The hunters have played an important role in an early warning system, working with scientists on the front lines to ensure that infected migratory birds from Asia aren't reaching Alaska.
Scientists originally encouraged hunters to bring in the carcasses by offering a free drum of stove oil to a raffle winner, a handsome reward considering the outrageous fuel prices and bitter cold.
That changed three years ago.
"One of our testing managers brought up the idea of doing shells so that everyone gets something instead of just one person," Hustedt said, "We thought it was a good idea, and tried it out one year, it worked really well."
Hunters bring in the waterfowl to be swabbed and sampled by a testing manager. The testing offers a chance to detect the deadly virus before it reaches the Lower 48, since many migratory birds leave Alaska to winter there...
Published on June 9th, 2010
Avian-flu test effort hands out of free ammo
By LOGAN TUTTLE
Hunters in the Yukon-Kuskokwim Delta are continuing to play an important role in a federal early warming system to keep avian bird flu from reaching the shores of the United States.
So far these hunters have brought in about 14,000 birds to 10 village test centers, as part of the five-year-old effort.
To encourage participation, federal officials have handed out more than 15,000 shotgun shells to Alaska subsistence hunters bringing in dead migratory birds for testing.
So far, the strain that affects humans has not been found anywhere in the United States, said Kelsey Hustedt, avian influenza coordinator for Bethel's regional hospital.
The hunters have played an important role in an early warning system, working with scientists on the front lines to ensure that infected migratory birds from Asia aren't reaching Alaska.
Scientists originally encouraged hunters to bring in the carcasses by offering a free drum of stove oil to a raffle winner, a handsome reward considering the outrageous fuel prices and bitter cold.
That changed three years ago.
"One of our testing managers brought up the idea of doing shells so that everyone gets something instead of just one person," Hustedt said, "We thought it was a good idea, and tried it out one year, it worked really well."
Hunters bring in the waterfowl to be swabbed and sampled by a testing manager. The testing offers a chance to detect the deadly virus before it reaches the Lower 48, since many migratory birds leave Alaska to winter there...