Reports of sick and dead geese and ducks are being monitored by the Missouri Department of Conservation. They are asking residents to be cautious and report waterfowl so they can be collected. The MDC is working to determine the cause of illness but suspect avian influenza or bird flu.
Bird flu spreads as birds along the North American flyways intermingle with infected birds from Europe and Asia. The viruses are transmitted from bird to bird through fecal droppings, saliva, and nasal discharges. There is a risk for spillover from wild birds into domestic poultry and then back again from poultry to wild birds, resulting in further spread.
Though Bird Flu does not present an immediate public health concern, MDC provided several recommendations.
- Do not touch dead geese, waterfowl, or other bird species.
- Report any sightings of dead geese to MDC online at http://short.mdc.mo.gov/4KD
- Ensure that pets do not come into contact with dead animals to help prevent the spread of disease.
- If you have inadvertently come into contact with a dead goose, wash your hands thoroughly and contact a healthcare professional if you experience any unusual symptoms.
Waterfowl hunters should dress game birds in the field whenever possible or at a location away from poultry or other birds. Hunters should also properly dispose of harvest waste by placing the remains in trash bags and disposing of them through trash collection or a permitted landfill. Bald eagles and other raptors are particularly susceptible to avian influenza. The MDC says this simple action could help prevent bald eagles and other raptor deaths.
