The Indiana Department of Natural Resources, DNR, has reported that it continues to detect highly pathogenic avian influenza, HPAI, in wild birds throughout Indiana, and the virus has currently been detected in 30 counties, including Boone, Clinton, Tippecanoe and other counties.
The department stated that the virus has also been suspected in an additional 32 counties based on reports involving the deaths of raptors, cranes and waterfowl.
Counties where avian influenza has been officially detected in wild birds currently are Adams, Allen, Bartholomew, Benton, Boone, Clinton, Decatur, Gibson, Greene, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Henry, Huntington, Jackson, Jasper, Lake, LaPorte, Marion, Newton, Pike, Porter, Randolph, Ripley, Shelby, Starke, Tippecanoe, Union, Vanderburgh and Vermillion counties.
The virus is a disease caused by an influenza virus that typically spreads among birds, most commonly among wild birds, such as waterfowl, shorebirds and raptors. More than 1,500 sandhill cranes have been affected by the virus since January, resulting in a large number of crane deaths in Greene, Jackson, Jasper, LaPorte, Newton, Starke and Union counties, DNR reports.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has stated that the public health risk is low for the virus, however, the possibility still stands for humans to contract the virus. Those who have close contact with infected animals or their environments, such as poultry farm workers or wildlife rehabilitators, are at higher risk of contracting the virus.
According to DNR, members of the public should avoid contact with sick waterfowl and other sick wildlife whenever possible. If the removal of a carcass is necessary, those in contact should safely dispose of the carcass by wearing a mask and disposable gloves and double bag any carcasses before placing it in a secure trash container. Those in contact should immediately wash their hands with soap and warm water.
Alternatively, a wildlife control operator can be hired to remove carcasses. A list of wildlife control operators may be found here.
Community members who find sick or dead wild birds should report them at on.in.gov/sick_wildlife.
DNR will continue to monitor avian influenza in affected species throughout the state.
For more information on HPAI, visit on.IN.gov/avian-flu.
