Valuable Safety Tips that Wildgame Hunters and the Public Should Know about Avian Flu
Avian influenza is a sickness of birds that is found mainly in wild waterfowl such as ducks and geese. At times, it is possible for this disease to migrate from these wild birds to domestic poultry. There are a large number of types of bird flu. At the moment, there is a type of bird flu called Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza type H5N1 that has caused illness in a large number of birds, and some humans as well. Hunters of wild game need to take precautions against the avian flu. If an individual is hunting for waterfowl, there are precautions they can take to keep themselves safe from exposure to the avian flu. For starters, they should only hunt animals that look safe. They should not take animals that are already dead or who appear to be ill. Hunters need to keep their game birds cool, clean and dry at all times. This will help to stop microbial growth. If there is a good amount of air circulation around the bird, it will help it to cool faster. A hunter should never partake in eating, drinking or smoking while they are harvesting their waterfowl. They should also remember to always wear rubber gloves when they are cleaning the waterfowl they catch. Hair, debris and anything else that might pose a threat of illness should always be promptly removed from the bird. Proper hygiene methods should always be practiced. A hunter should always wash their hands with a good soap or disinfectant after they clean their waterfowl. A hunter needs to wash his hands for at least twenty seconds after touching any raw meat. It is very important that cross contamination be prevented, so any tools or surfaces used when cleaning waterfowl need to be properly treated. They should be cleaned right away with very hot, soapy water and disinfected. The disinfectant should consist of a mixture that is half-household chlorine bleach and half water. This is especially true of any tools that were used to cut the spinal cord and head. After the bird is harvested, the body should be washed thoroughly. When a hunter is ready to eat his waterfowl, he needs to make sure it is properly cooked. The bird should reach a temperature of 165 F before being consumed. This will rid the bird of microorganisms that can make you ill. All skin and fat should be removed before it is cooked and if you stuff the bird; it should be thrown away before you eat. It is also important that individuals do not consume more than two waterfowl each month. Game meat should be packaged and frozen right after it is processed. When thawing meat, never leave it at room temperature. This is because room temperature thawing will promote the growth of microorganisms, which could result in food borne illness. The best method for thawing is to place frozen meat on the lowest shelf in the fridge. If there is some bird left over from your meal, it should be places in the fridge as soon as the cooling process has completed to keep the food safe.
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