Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and Migratory Birds in Alaska

Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) viruses can affect the health of humans, domestic animals, and wildlife. Globally, HPAI outbreaks have increased rapidly in both domestic poultry and wild birds. Recently, the H5N1 strain of HPAI has been detected in Alaska and has caused illness and death in waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and birds of prey in North America. The Center for Disease Control believes that the public health risk from HPAI in North America is low. 

Hunters

Alaska hunters should still exercise caution while hunting and eating migratory birds by following these steps to reduce infection risk:

• Do not harvest game that appear sick or are found dead.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex or nitrile gloves while handling and cleaning game.
• When done handling game, wash hands thoroughly with soap or disinfectant, and disinfect knives, equipment, and surfaces that were in contact with game.
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling game.
• Cook game thoroughly to an internal temperature of 165 degrees.

To Report Observations and Concerns about Migratory Birds in ALASKA

Birds with HPAI infections may appear disoriented, be walking in circles, have jerky head movements, or hold their neck or heads in an unusual position, or may be dead. Helpful information to include when reporting: location of the bird(s), species; number of birds; and whether the birds are dead, dying, injured or behaving in an erratic or abnormal manner, or have lost their fear of humans.  

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Alaska Sick/Dead Bird Hotline: 1-866-527-3358
• Alaska Department of Fish and Game Wildlife Health Reporting email: dfg.dwc.vet@alaska.gov 
• Local Environmental Observer Network

For more information: 

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service information about Avian Influenza in wild birds 

Alaska Bird FAQ: if it's sick, abandoned, injured or dead

Alaska Department of Health and Social Services Avian Flu page 

Human HPAI health information: Centers for Disease Control HPAI 

National HPAI case counts in wild birds: USDA-APHIS