Avian influenza found in Dundy Co.

The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission has announced that avian influenza has been found in northern, eastern and western portions of Dundy County.
Conservation officer Sophie Gobber, who oversees Chase, Dundy, Hayes and Hitchcock Counties, said avian influenza hasn’t been found at Enders State Recreation Area.
“We haven’t found the amount of dead geese to indicate avian influenza is at Enders,” Gobber said.
With duck and goose season still open until Jan. 25, Gobber said hunters and people with domestic poultry should be on the look out for the virus, especially around sand pits and smaller bodies of water that haven’t frozen over yet.
Wild waterfowl shed the virus into the environment through their oral and nasal secretions and feces. According to the Center for Disease Control, susceptible birds become infected when they have contact with the virus as it is shed by infected birds. They also can become infected through contact with surfaces that are contaminated with virus from infected birds.
Waterfowl symptoms include dead animals, necks that look broken, abnormal breast bones, swimming in circles, head moving in circles and unable to fly. Depending on the stage of the virus, the birds may try to run but lack coordination.
Dead birds are usually found in or near water in a large group.
The Game and Parks’ website says less frequently, avian influenza viruses are in rats, mice, weasels, ferrets, pigs, cats, tigers, dogs and horses, as well as humans.
Gobber said NGPC will not be collecting any more dead birds. Anyone finding a dead banded animal is asked to still report it under the collected for disease option.
Any dead bald or golden eagles should be reported to Gobber at 308-222-0368.

Precautions for hunters
These are also good rules of thumb for all hunters cleaning any type of game:
—Avoid handling wild birds that are obviously sick or found dead.
—Dress your game birds in the field whenever possible.
—If dressing birds at home, double bag the remains and place in a trash can that is secure against access by pets or other animals.
—Do not eat, drink or smoke while cleaning game.
—Wash hands, all tools and work surfaces with soap and water, or alcohol wipes if unavailable, after cleaning game.
—Avoid cross-contamination. Keep uncooked game in a separate container away from cooked or ready-to-eat foods.
—Cook game bird meat, as with all poultry and eggs, thoroughly – to an internal temperature of 165 F.
—Anyone recently handling game birds should not visit any backyard poultry or commercial poultry site.
For disposing of suspected cases of avian influenza:
—Wear gloves.
—Double bag carcasses and throw them into a dumpster.