Missouri Department of Conservation Monitoring Bird Flu Cases

JEFFERON CITY, Mo - The Missouri Department of Conservation is advising Missourians to use caution as it actively monitors reports of sick and dead waterfowl in the state.

Testing of these bids has confirmed the cause of death is bird flu. Th illness spreads among birds through contact with infected feces, saliva, or nasal discharges. Migratory birds that travel along North American flyways can carry the virus and it can move between wild birds and domestic poultry in Missouri.

Symptoms include tremors, head tilting, lethargy, loss of coordination, and inability to fly or walk properly. The risk to the general public is low, but human infections can occur due to close exposure.

Hunters are advised to dress harvested game birds in the field and to dispose of carcasses and waste proper