DOVER, Delaware – The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) is urging hunters to follow strict safety precautions after a snow goose in eastern Kent County tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), according to information released by the agency.
DNREC reported that the bird was confirmed to carry H5N1 avian influenza following testing in mid-December. The department noted that while only a small number of wild birds have been affected so far, the virus spreads quickly among waterfowl, especially during winter migration when large flocks gather.
The department said the final segment of duck season begins Wednesday, followed by the migratory Canada goose season. Hunters are being asked to report any sick or deceased wild birds exhibiting abnormal movement or inability to fly using DNREC’s wildlife reporting form. These reports help the department track outbreaks and respond promptly.
According to DNREC, hunters should process birds away from domestic poultry, use gloves and dedicated cleaning tools, and securely bag and dispose of carcasses and feathers. Children and pets should avoid contact with wild birds and droppings. DNREC emphasized that the public should not handle sick birds directly. DNREC added that, while rare cases of H5N1 infection have occurred in people elsewhere in the United States, there is currently no evidence of person-to-person transmission. Anyone experiencing flu-like symptoms after contact with wild birds should contact the Delaware Division of Public Health for guidance. The agency also said it will work with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to monitor and collect affected birds if necessary to limit the spread of the virus.
For more information on avian influenza in Delaware wildlife, visit DNREC at dnrec.delaware.gov.
Photo: The annual snow goose migration brings tens of thousands of birds spread throughout Delaware’s landscape. /Delaware DNREC photo