LA PORTE COUNTY, Ind. -- The Indiana Department of Natural Resources is encouraging anyone who interacts with waterfowl to use extra precautions as the avian influenza has now been responsible for their deaths in a dozen Indiana counties. 

Officials say public health risk is low, but they have confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) as the cause of death in waterfowl in Gibson County in December and suspects HPAI as the cause of waterfowl deaths in Allen, Benton, Hamilton, Lake, LaPorte, Newton, Pike, Porter, Starke, Tippecanoe, and Vermillion counties over the last six weeks.

"The recent positive detections of HPAI H5 are part of 98 positive detections across the state in waterfowl since 2022," A DNR spokesperson said. "DNR began this testing in waterfowl and raptors in 2022 and increased testing in hunter harvested waterfowl with assistance from the U.S Department of Agriculture. With this increased testing, additional detections of HPAI are to be expected."

The agency says most waterfowl species affected are snow geese and Canada geese, but Indiana DNR has also seen deaths in mute swans, tundra swans, mallards, American white pelicans, common goldeneyes, and double crested cormorants.

If you find wild waterfowl that are dead for no obvious reason, or showing any of the following signs, report it online.

Signs of HPAI in waterfowl include:

• Sudden death
• Neurological impairment (e.g., lack of coordination, swimming in circles, tremors, twisted neck)
• Lack of energy and appetite
• Swelling of the head, neck, and eyes
• Nasal discharge, cough, sneezing, lack of coordination, and diarrhea.

"The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service recommends that waterfowl hunters wear protective clothing such as face masks and gloves to process birds, and to process birds in a well-ventilated area or outdoors," officials said. "Meat harvested from waterfowl should be cooked to an internal temperature of 165°F before consumption."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the public health risk for HPAI is low.

"However, it is possible for humans to contract HPAI," officials said. "Members of the public should avoid contact with sick waterfowl and other sick wildlife whenever possible. If a carcass must be handled, wear disposable gloves and a mask, and wash hands with soap and water immediately afterward."

If you come into contact with waterfowl and develop flu-like symptoms, including fever, chills, cough, sore throat with or without conjunctivitis within 10 days of exposure, you are highly encouraged to contact your doctor.

"Some domestic and agricultural animals are also known to be susceptible to HPAI, including poultry, cattle, and cats. If you have these animals at home, be sure to process any harvested waterfowl away from your animals and practice good biosecurity measures," officials said.

Resources:

• More information on HPAI
• More information about poultry biosecurity measures
• If you see any of your poultry acting sick or find any dead, report it to the Board of Animal Health