LAS VEGAS (KLAS) — Wildlife officers are advising waterfowl hunters to take precautions towards contact with avian flu, and in addition to watch out in water the place dangerous algal blooms (HABs) may be current.
The issues have surfaced this week in separate areas, however all hunters must be cautious to guard their canines and themselves.
The Nevada Division of Wildlife (NDOW) supplied steerage for hunters in a Friday information launch.
Extremely pathogenic avian flu (HPAI)
An outbreak of extremely pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been detected at Key Pettman Wildlife Administration Space and Pahranagat Nationwide Wildlife Refuge. Each are north of Las Vegas alongside U.S. 93. Affirmation by the U.S. Division of Agriculture is pending.
Avian influenza outbreak reported at 2 wildlife areas close to Las Vegas
HPAI is a naturally occurring virus that poses low danger for human an infection, it was first recognized in Nevada’s wild fowl populations in July 2022 and sometimes circulates in wild waterfowl populations with none indicators of sickness and low mortality charges.
Although the present pressure of the virus seems to pose a low danger for human an infection, hunters ought to maintain the next ideas in thoughts to maintain themselves and their canines secure whereas within the discipline:
Solely deal with and eat birds you harvested and that seem and act wholesome.
Don’t deal with, eat, or deliver dwelling any birds that seem sick or have been discovered useless.
Put on gloves and eye safety when cleansing birds and accomplish that in a well-ventilated space.
Take away intestines and discard quickly after harvesting and keep away from direct contact with them.
Don’t eat, drink, or smoke whereas dealing with carcasses.
Wash palms after dealing with recreation and clear gear.
Cook dinner all recreation to an inner temperature of 165F earlier than consuming.
Don’t let your canine come into contact with sick birds or useless birds that you haven’t harvested.
Don’t let your canine eat uncooked meat together with from waterfowl.
In case your canine turns into ailing, search veterinary care and point out that you’ve been looking together with your canine.
Extra details about avian influenza may be discovered on-line at https://www.ndow.org/weblog/highly-pathogenic-avian-influenza-hpai/#.
Dangerous algal blooms (HABs)
NDOW is warning hunters to examine for present HAB advisories wherever they select to hunt. For data on HAB watches, warnings and hazard updates, see the state’s dashboard right here. If no advisory exists, hunters can search for indicators similar to water that appears like paint or pea soup, a thick floor layer resembling foam or scum, or a foul or musty odor.
Whereas it might require hunters to make a tricky vacation spot selection, they need to take the required steps to maintain their canines out of water the place they’ve cause to consider a HAB exists. Cyanobacteria produced by these blooms are extremely poisonous to canines and may be deadly inside minutes to hours of publicity.
Keep away from areas of algae accumulation, and don’t let your canine eat dried algae or drink the water. Canines may also be uncovered to toxins by pores and skin contact with contaminated water or by licking water from their fur.
Hunters or anglers who suspect the presence of a HAB ought to keep away from contact with the water or scum. Waterfowl and fish taken from that location must be cleaned with contemporary water and their entrails correctly discarded. Out of doors fanatics ought to wash nicely with clear potable water afterward.
A brand new HAB Watch went into impact on Wednesday at Stillwater Nationwide Wildlife Refuge close to Fallon, particularly at Nutgrass Lake. 4 different Northern Nevada websites have had HAB Watches over the summer season months, and Lahontan Reservoir had a HAB Warning in early June.
In Southern Nevada, HAB Hazard circumstances have been introduced in late August alongside Lake Mohave inside Lake Mead Nationwide Recreation Space.
