Bird flu could end duck hunting

It’s a remote possibility, but federal authorities may close or restrict the duck-hunting season in response to bird flu.

Experts say it’s a long shot that British Columbia ducks infected with a form of the H5 avian flu virus are carrying the same strain that’s wreaked havoc in Southeast Asia.

Next week, test results should be available to tell if the virus is the same H5N1 strain that has infected 122 people and killed 62 in southeast Asia.

Wildlife officials in the United States are keeping a close watch on the situation – the ducks in British Columbia are on an international migratory flyway that sends flocks from as far away as Siberia through Washington and Idaho to waterfowl wintering grounds in California.

“It’s going to be a very important moment when we learn from the Canadian tests if it is in fact N1,” said Nicholas Throckmorton, spokesman at the headquarters of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

Although Throckmorton said the illegal wild bird smuggling trade is probably more cause for concern, he said talks are now under way with state wildlife management agencies about dealing with a possible flu threat from waterfowl. If the strain is found in waterfowl – and it’s a big if, Throckmorton said, “Then we’re going to have to start thinking about hunting seasons. … That discussion is going on now.”

Humans in Asia have contracted avian flu from close contact with bodily fluids of infected birds – many of the outbreaks have involved the blood sport of cockfighting. Although chickens have infected humans, there have been no cases yet blamed on infected wild birds. Hunters are not being asked to take any special precautions, said Madonna Luers, spokeswoman for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

“With any wildlife disease we advise hunters to use common sense hygiene,” Luers said. “There’s no evidence that properly handled or properly cooked foul can sicken people.”

Proper handling techniques include not drinking, eating or smoking while handling wild game or uncooked game meat. Latex gloves are advised, as is swabbing knives and utensils with alcohol.

The H5 strain was found in 24 percent of all wild ducks sampled in central British Columbia, according to a statement issued by the province’s Ministry of Agriculture and Lands. Three dozen birds in Quebec and Manitoba were also recently found to have the strain. The strain has long been present in North American waterfowl, but at much lower levels. Tests conducted in the 1970s and 1980s showed the H5 and H7 subtypes of the virus were present, but in less than 1 percent of waterfowl sampled.

“There’s no question we were surprised by the large number of H5 samples,” according to a statement from province’s chief veterinarian, Dr. Ron Lewis. The samples were taken from live and healthy birds.

Washington hunters last year killed 369,000 ducks, according to state statistics. It is illegal for hunters who shoot ducks to let them go to waste.

Dr. Kristin Mansfield, veterinarian with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, said she was “not at all alarmed” to hear about H5 being found in British Columbian ducks. The H5 strain has been present in low levels for years. Even if the strain is discovered to be H5N1, additional molecular testing would be needed to ensure it was the same version as the deadly strain in Asia.

“There’s going to be different strains even within that grouping,” Mansfield said.

Health experts caution, however, that the current strains of avian flu are mutating quickly and could develop into a form capable of spreading from human to human. A report released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services warns that up to 1.9 million Americans could die in such a pandemic.

That’s why there’s been so much attention focused on watching the spread of the virus. This summer, tests began in Alaska on migratory waterfowl, said Throckmorton, with the Fish and Wildlife Service. Waterfowl in Siberia mingle with migratory birds from other parts of Asia. Very few migratory birds enter the United States by way of northern Europe of Greenland.

“Alaska is our main focus for wild migrating birds to bring this virus into North America. This is the most probable spot for the virus to transfer from bird to bird to bird,” he said, adding later, “There’s still no proof of H5N1 in North America. There is no reason for panic.”

Duck hunters at the Kootenai National Wildlife Refuge, which is only a few miles south of Idaho’s border with British Columbia, have reported nothing unusual, said refuge manager Dianna Ellis. “We’ve not seen or heard of any sick ducks.”

Officials in both Idaho and Washington say they are not considering any plans to curtail waterfowl hunting, nor have they been in any discussions with federal officials about a possible flyway closure. The federal government regulates waterfowl hunting because flyways cross state and national boundaries.

“We have not received any contact on the issue as of this moment,” said Idaho Fish and Game deputy director Terry Mansfield late Wednesday afternoon. Mansfield, who is also chairman of the Pacific Flyway Council, said the state will keep watch on the situation. “It obviously is an issue of concern.”