St. Louis County has recorded the highest number of confirmed infections at seven, the Missouri Department of Conservation said.
MISSOURI, USA — Numerous dead waterfowl and raptors across Missouri have confirmed a bird flu outbreak across the state.
The Missouri Department of Conservation on Friday confirmed the outbreak, saying the bodies of 11 dead birds have tested positive for Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza. Three other suspected cases are currently being investigated, according to Conservation Health Section Chief Deb Hudman.
St. Louis County has recorded the highest number of confirmed and suspected infections at seven, followed by Dunklin County at four, and St. Charles, Shelby, and Crawford counties with one each. Click here for a full list of confirmed and suspected infections.
The virus spreads among birds through contact with infected feces, saliva, or nasal discharges. Bird flu cases also tend to spike in the fall months, when migratory birds travel along the nation’s flyways and risk spreading the virus to domestic birds and livestock.
Missouri marked its first anniversary since its first human case of bird flu in September. The risk of spread of bird flu to the general public remains low, but officials still urge caution since human infections have occurred after close exposure.
“HPAI infections in humans are rare,” the department said in a press release. “Contact a healthcare provider if experiencing any unusual symptoms of possible infection, such as eye redness, respiratory problems, and fever. It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry. Cooking meat to an internal temperature of 165°F helps destroy the virus if present.”
Conservationists asked hunters and state residents to help stop the spread of the virus. Hunters were encouraged to dress harvested game birds away from other birds, dispose of carcasses and waste properly, and allow hunting gear to dry completely between trips. Residents were asked to avoid dead birds, keep pets away from dead or dying wildlife, and report any sightings of dead geese, raptors, or other large birds to MDC.
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