People enjoying the outdoors are encouraged to follow simple best practices as a strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, H5N1, circulates among birds in Nebraska.

Nebraska Game and Parks recently confirmed H5N1 in several migrating birds and is asking for the public’s help reporting sick, dead or abnormally behaving birds. People can file a report through the “avian influenza” page at OutdoorNebraska.gov. Game and Parks staff will respond to reports for testing as warranted as they continue to monitor mortality events.

In addition to reporting concerns, outdoor enthusiasts can take a few simple steps to protect themselves, their animals and wildlife. Best practices that minimize risk and prevent potential spread of the disease include:

• Avoid direct contact with wild birds or those that appear sick, are dead or are acting strange.
• Keep animals away from wild birds.
• Wash your hands and disinfect shoes and gear after visiting areas where wild birds gather as their droppings can carry disease.
• If you become sick with signs and symptoms of bird flu, seek medical attention and mention your exposure to wild birds.

Waterfowl hunters should take the additional following precautions:

• Wear personal protective equipment, including disposable gloves, masks and eye protection, while cleaning your harvest or handling birds.
• Clean and process birds in a well-ventilated area away from other animals.
• Avoid eating, drinking, or touching your face when handling wild game.
• Double bag the carcass and dispose of all waste, including PPE; do not leave anything for other animals to scavenge.
• Wash your hands immediately after handling wild game.
• Disinfect all equipment and footwear.
• Cook meat thoroughly.
• Keep animals away from wild birds, carcasses or droppings.
• If animals get sick after exposure to wild birds or their waste, contact your veterinarian immediately and mention exposure to wild birds.

Nebraska’s agricultural producers can find specific guidance for preventing avian influenza in their poultry or cattle at NDA.Nebraska.org; search for “avian influenza.”

Avian influenza is widespread in wild and domestic birds worldwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and has been detected in every state across the U.S. According to the CDC, since March 2024 when targeted surveillance of H5N1 avian influenza began, 71 people have been infected and two have died.

Learn more about the disease at OutdoorNebraska.gov by searching for “avian influenza.”