As duck hunting season approaches, this is a reminder for the public that Avian Influenza has previously been detected in a small number of birds in the Northwest Territories. Residents should take some simple and easy steps to protect themselves. Avian influenza passes from bird to bird and can affect some other animals and, in rare cases, people. With the return of migratory birds, it is important to watch for signs of sick birds and follow some basic precautions to prevent being exposed to the virus.

Safety Guidelines for the Public

• Avoid handling wild birds that are found dead and live birds that look sick or are acting strangely.
• Avoid or disinfect surfaces that could be contaminated by a sick or dead bird.
• Report sightings of sick, injured, or dead wildlife to your ECC Regional Office. Provide details such as the date, time, location, and a brief description of what you saw. Photos and videos are also helpful.
• If you are experiencing any respiratory symptoms, AND have been recently (within 10 days) in contact with wild birds or domestic birds showing signs of illness, reach out to your local health centre for assessment and advise them of your bird exposure. There are antiviral drugs that can be used for preventing infection and for treatment if symptoms develop.
• Seasonal influenza vaccines do not offer protection against influenza A(H5N1).

Tips for Safe Handling of Birds

When hunting wild birds:

• Wear gloves and wash hands after dressing them.
• Process birds in a well-ventilated area.
• Disinfect equipment, surfaces, and clothing afterward.
• Cook whole game birds to an internal temperature of at least 180 °F (82 °C).
• Cook pieces of birds (breasts, legs, thighs, wings) to an internal temperature of at least 165 °F (74 °C).

Symptoms of Avian Influenza in Wild Birds

• Unusual behavior, such as tremors or lack of coordination.
• Swelling around the head, neck, or eyes.
• Lack of energy or movement.
• Difficulty breathing, sneezing, or coughing.
• Diarrhea.
• Sudden death.

Learn More

• For more information about avian influenza, visit: Avian Influenza – What You Need to Know.
• For questions about wild birds in the NWT, contact the Canadian Wildlife Service at cwsnorth-scfnord@ec.gc.ca.

For media requests, please contact:

Communications and Public Affairs
Environment and Climate Change
Government of the Northwest Territories
ecc_communications@gov.nt.ca

Communications
Health and Social Services
Government of the Northwest Territories
HSSmedia@gov.nt.ca

Please note, this text previously stated to cook meet to an internal temperature of at least 165 °F. This was corrected to say:

• Cook whole game birds to an internal temperature of at least 180 °F (82 °C).
• Cook pieces of birds (breasts, legs, thighs, wings) to an internal temperature of at least 165 °F (74 °C).