This page is intended to provide Avian Influenza information to Iowans participating in outdoor activities such as hunting, camping, hiking, or bird watching. The Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI H5N1) circulating in Asia, Europe, and Africa has not been found in North America at this time and outdoor enthusiasts are not known to have contracted the disease during outdoor activities.

Iowa Outdoors

• Avoid handling dead or sick birds, bird droppings, nests, or bird related items.
• Practice good hygiene - washing your hands after handling birds or bird related items, after handling dogs involved in hunting, and before preparing meals or eating. Properly dispose of waste food items to avoid attracting birds to your camp or picnic site.
• Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handing dead birds and handling or cleaning game.
• Prevent your pets, hunting dogs, and raptors from coming in contact with infected, dying, or dead birds.
• Thoroughly clean knives, equipment, and surfaces that come in contact with dying or dead birds or game.
• Cook all game to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

additional useful information and links from other sources

• Avian Influenza: Advice to Bird Watchers from BirdLife International
• Guidelines for Persons Handling Wild Birds from the National Wildlife Health Center (USGS)
• Fact Sheet on Avian Influenza from Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife
• What Hunters Should Know from PandemicFlu.gov (US Federal joint agency Avian Influenza web site)