Colorado Dept. of Agriculture offers waterfowlers tips to avoid avian influenza

SOUTHEAST COLORADO (KRDO) -- Early teal season has come and gone but many other Colorado waterfowl seasons are currently happening or will be soon.

With that in mind, the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) is reminding waterfowlers to take precautions when cleaning their birds and avoid bringing avian influenza home.

Colorado Waterfowl Season Dates and Fees

The CDA recommends using the following guidelines when cleaning your birds:

• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning birds
• Do not handle or consume animals that are sick or found dead
• Do not harvest unhealthy-looking birds
• Wear gloves when handling and cleaning any wild birds

According to the CDA, avian flu mostly affects domestic fowl, but it can cause infections in humans. Human infections are most likely to happen in people directly exposed to infected birds or contaminated environments. Hunters are advised to monitor their health for any signs of flu-like symptoms within a week of handling birds.

If you find three or more dead wild birds in a specific area within a two-week period OR if you see live birds showing clinical signs of disease, contact your local Colorado Parks and Wildlife office.

For more information on avian influenza and how it affects both wild birds and poultry, visit https://ag.colorado.gov/animals/reportable-diseases/avian-influenza.