Posted 12/1/22

The Tennessee State Veterinarian is issuing an alert for domesticated bird owners who also engage in bird hunting. Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is prevalent in wild birds and is endangering backyard and commercial flocks in Tennessee.

Recommendations for protecting your backyard flock include washing your hands before and after interacting with domesticated birds and dedicate a pair of shoes to only be worn in coops or poultry houses.

The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency advises hunters to dress game birds in the field when possible. Remains can be buried at the harvest site or double bagged and disposed with normal household waste.

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza is a highly transmissible disease known to be deadly for domesticated fowl. Fowl can be exposed to HPAI through human interactions and through contact with wild birds.

For more information call the State Veterinarian’s office at  615-837-5120.