Editor’s note: The video above aired on Wednesday, Dec. 18 after health officials confirmed a person from Louisiana had the first severe bird flu case in the country .
KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) — The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency (TWRA) is cautioning hunters and homeowners to take precautions amid rising cases of bird flu across the Southeast.
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza cases are on the rise among wild birds, backyard domestic flocks, and commercial poultry flocks.
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“Numerous states in the Mississippi Flyway are reporting HPAI detections that are leading to dead and dying birds, mainly snow geese,” said Jamie Feddersen, TWRA migratory gamebird coordinator. “Tennessee is also finding ducks and geese with HPAI. Hunters should follow safety precautions when handling these birds.”
Hunters who handle wild birds are urged to dress game birds in the field when possible. Remains from processed birds should be buried where the animal was harvested or double bagged and disposed along with normal household waste.