The Missouri Department of Conservation is on the lookout for waterfowl sick with highly pathogenic avian influenza, or bird flu. Reports of sick and dying ducks and geese are popping up across the state, according to the MDC. Testing is yet to confirm whether the cause of illness is bird flu, but it’s suspected since birds in Kansas and Iowa have similar symptoms.

What You Need To Know

  • The MDC hasn't confirmed any new cases of bird flu, but it suspects some waterfowl are carrying it. 

  • Kansas and Iowa have several occurences, and dead waterfowl have been found across Missouri. 

  • MDC officials say there's no immediate public health threat.

With the ongoing waterfowl hunting season, MDC officials are asking hunters to dress their game in the field and properly dispose of unused parts. Hunters should also clean their clothing and equipment between uses to prevent the potential spread of the disease. The virus is transmitted through fecal droppings, saliva, and nasal discharges. 

Earlier this year, a person in Missouri tested positive for bird flu. But health officials called it a “one-off” case. 

"There is no evidence of person-to-person transmission,” Dr. Demetre Daskalakis of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention told the Associated Press in September.

Missouri conservation officials say it’s still safe to eat poultry when cooked to an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit. More information can be found on the Missouri Department of Agriculture website at https://agriculture.mo.gov/avian-influenza.php.