PIERRE, S.D. - Waterfowl hunters have started to play an integral role in the state’s efforts to check birds for avian influenza.
The South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks is now using hunter-harvested waterfowl for the early detection of the highly pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 virus otherwise known as bird flu. To date, no waterfowl or migratory shorebirds in North America have tested positive for the virus.
From late July to mid-September, GFP sent 565 waterfowl and shorebird samples to the South Dakota State University diagnostic laboratory for testing. These birds were captured during banding operations and released unharmed.
Now the emphasis has shifted to using hunter-harvested waterfowl, according to GFP Senior Waterfowl Biologist Spencer Vaa, Brookings. After the Sept. 23-24 opening weekend of duck hunting in the Low Plains North and Low Plains Middle zones, another 71 samples were sent in for testing.
GFP is working with selected hunters throughout the state to obtain the waterfowl samples. Species targeted for sampling during the fall migration include the northern pintail, tundra swan, sandhill crane, mallard, green-winged teal, wigeon, northern shoveler, gadwall, lesser scaup, bufflehead and common goldeneye.
“All of these species have a connection with Asia or mingle with species that do,” said Vaa. “Scientists believe the most likely avenue of approach of the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus making its way to North America is through Asia and Alaska.”
GFP expects to submit a minimum of 1,000 samples for testing by Dec. 31, 2006. The state effort is part of a larger surveillance project that encompasses the entire Central Flyway.
More information is available through a avian bird flu brochure available at Game, Fish and Parks offices. It can also be downloaded from the GFP Web site at http://www.sdgfp.info/.