Wildlife and avian influenza – Handling guidelines to protect your health

On this page

• Information for members of the public and hunters
  • Members of the Public
  • Recommendations for hunters of wild birds and other susceptible wildlife
  • Food safety
• Information for people who work with wild birds or other susceptible wildlife

Information for members of the public and hunters

Wild birds in Canada and throughout the world are natural carriers of avian influenza viruses. Although some wild birds may get sick and die, others can be infected and still appear healthy. Avian influenza can spread to domestic poultry and can sometimes spread to mammals, such as foxes, skunks and mink, who may eat infected birds.

Rarely, avian influenza may also spread to people. Most human cases have occurred after close contact with infected sick or dead poultry, or after exposure to heavily contaminated environments (e.g., poultry barns or live bird markets).

While the likelihood of becoming infected with avian influenza virus is low, individuals should still be cautious when handling infected wild birds or other wildlife, because avian influenza has the potential to cause severe disease in people.

Members of the public

As is always recommended, members of the public should not handle sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife, as they may be infected with diseases that can spread to humans. Pets should also be kept away from sick or dead wildlife.

If you observe sick or dead birds or other wildlife and suspect that avian influenza may be involved, contact your regional avian influenza hotline or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative.

If handling sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife is unavoidable, wear gloves or use a doubled plastic bag and avoid contact with blood, body fluids and feces. You should then wash your hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer.

Recommendations for hunters of wild birds and other susceptible wildlife

Exposure to avian influenza can occur when handling infected wild birds, especially when field dressing, plucking and cleaning game.

In 2022, some wild mammals (e.g., foxes, skunks, mink) have been found to be infected with avian influenza A(H5N1); as such, hunters and trappers should also be careful when handling these animals.

Precautionary measures should be taken to reduce the risk of exposure to zoonotic diseases, including avian influenza. The following recommendations should be followed when handling wild birds and other susceptible wildlife.

To reduce your risk:

• Do not handle or eat birds or mammals that appear to be sick or that have died from unknown causes.
• When handling or cleaning game:
  • Always work in a well-ventilated environment.
    • If working outdoors, try to stay upwind to avoid inhaling dust, feathers and aerosols.
    • If working indoors or in a poorly ventilated environment, wearing a mask will further reduce your exposure to dust, feathers and aerosols.
  • Avoid direct contact with blood, feces, and respiratory secretions.
  • Do not eat, drink, or smoke, and do not touch your eyes or face while handling wildlife.
  • Wear nitrile or rubber gloves.
  • Wash hands with soap and warm water immediately after you have finished. If you do not have access to water, use hand sanitizer or wipe hands with at least 60 percent alcohol.
  • Keep children and pets away from materials and areas that could be contaminated.
• After you are done, thoroughly clean and disinfect tools and work surfaces (including those in vehicles) with hot, soapy water and then use a household disinfectant (e.g., 5 teaspoons (25mL) of household bleach in 2L of water).
• Immediately remove and wash clothing and footwear that may be contaminated with blood, feces or respiratory secretions.
• If you own domestic birds or poultry, reduce the risk to those birds through good biosecurity:
  • Use separate clothing, equipment and footwear for handling wild birds and other wildlife.
  • Always practice good hand hygiene.
  • Avoid contact between your birds and wildlife.
• If you become ill with influenza symptoms within 10 days after handling wild birds or other wildlife, see your health care provider. Inform your health care provider that you have been in contact with wildlife.

Food safety

There is no evidence to suggest that fully cooked game meat, organs or eggs are a source of avian influenza infection for people.

Cooking your game meat, organs and eggs eliminates foodborne pathogens including bacteria and viruses.

• Cook game meat and organs thoroughly.
  • Cook pieces and cuts to an internal temperature of 74°C (165° F).
  • Cook whole birds to an internal temperature of 82°C (180° F).
  • Cook eggs to an internal temperature of 74°C (165° F).
    • Avoid consuming eggs raw or partially cooked (runny yolk).
• Follow general safe food handling practices such as:
  • Keeping raw meat, organs and eggs separate from other food products to avoid cross contamination.
  • Washing hands often, including before and after handling raw foods.
  • Thoroughly cleaning contaminated tools and work surfaces with hot, soapy water and then using a household disinfectant (e.g., 5 teaspoons (25mL) of household bleach in 2L of water).

Information for people who work with wild birds and other susceptible wildlife

People who work with infected wild birds or other susceptible wildlife are at increased risk of exposure to avian influenza and should take precautions.

Some examples of occupations or activities that may increase your risk of exposure include:

• aviculturist
• wildlife rehabilitator
• wildlife officer
• wildlife research or bird banding
• clean up and disposal of dead birds

If you observe sick or dead wild birds or other wildlife and suspect that avian influenza may be involved, contact your regional avian influenza hotline or the Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative before handling them or bringing them into your facility.

• Protect yourself when handling birds and other wildlife:
  • Wear heavy gloves when handling animals that can pierce skin with beaks, teeth or claws; otherwise, wear rubber gloves or disposable gloves (e.g., nitrile).
  • Do no eat, drink or smoke, and do not touch your eyes or face while handling wildlife or cleaning contaminated areas and equipment.
  • Always work in a well-ventilated environment.
    • If working outdoors, try to stay upwind to avoid inhaling dust, feathers and aerosols.
    • If working indoors or in a poorly ventilated environment, wearing a mask will further reduce your exposure to dust, feathers and aerosols.
• If birds in your care show signs of illness (e.g., excessively watery eyes, swelling of the head and eyelids, ruffled feathers, neurologic symptoms, etc.), consult with a veterinarian immediately.
• If mammals in your care (e.g., foxes, mink, skunks) are acting strangely or show signs of neurological illness, consult a veterinarian immediately to determine if they have an infectious disease of concern (e.g., rabies or avian influenza).
• If you are working with birds or mammals with signs of respiratory or neurologic illness, where splash or aerosols will be generated (e.g., using high pressure hoses or in ponds), or in locations where highly pathogenic avian influenza has been found in either wildlife or poultry, it is recommended to also wear:
  • Masks or respirators (e.g., N-95, KN-95, FFP2 or equivalent)
  • Eye protection (e.g., goggles, face shields, safety glasses)
  • Disposable gown or coveralls
  • Disposable protective shoe/boot covers or rubber or polyurethane boots
• When cleaning equipment, or handling blood, feces, respiratory secretions, or contaminated feed and water, wear disposable gloves (e.g., nitrile), and wash hands with warm soapy water or use hand sanitizer immediately after removing and discarding gloves.
• Dispose of gloves and all potentially contaminated material immediately in an appropriate manner (i.e., sealed in plastic bags).
• Wash your hands with soap and warm water or use hand sanitizer when finished.
• Use appropriate disinfectants to sanitize equipment (e.g., sampling tools, animal restraint, holding, and transportation devices, banding tools or bird bags) or any potentially contaminated surface.
• If you own domestic birds or poultry, reduce the risk to those birds through good biosecurity:
  • Use separate clothing, equipment and footwear for handling wild birds and other wildlife
  • Always practice good hand hygiene
• Avoid contact between your birds and wildlife.
• If you become ill with influenza symptoms within 10 days after handling wild birds and other wildlife, see your health care provider. Inform your health care provider that you have been in contact with wildlife.