Hunters beware: Avian cholera detected in Indiana

Avian cholera has been detected in Gibson County, its first known appearance in Indiana, according to an advisory released by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources this afternoon. The disease, which was found in geese, is not related to avian influenza or "bird flu" and poses a minimal risk to humans.

About 350 birds have been found dead since the beginning of December, a tiny fraction of the tens of thousands of waterfowl who winter in the area. The disease is spread via "bird-to-bird contact, ingestion of food and water containing the infectious bacterium, and scavenging of infected carcasses," according to the DNR. 

"The big concern in some of these disease investigations is to make sure it doesn't impact our ability to export commercial poultry," said Denise Derrer, spokesman with the state's Board of Animal Health. "And it won't in this case." 

Avian cholera, Derrer exlained, does not pose much of a threat to the commercial poultry industry, unlike the avian flu that several years ago caused an outbreak that led to international exports being temporarily shut down.

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Still, she mentioned that this disease is carried by wild birds that are migrating, meaning there is no control over where they land and what other birds they will come in contact with. The state agency encourages all livestock and poultry owners to put measures in place to prevent contact with wild birds. 

DNR suggests taking some precautions related to hunting, cleaning and consuming the meat of the geese.

Hunters are discouraged from hunting and taking birds that are suspected of having the disease. Signs that the waterfowl may be infected include that they appear lethargic, are swimming in circles or flying erratically, and have miscalculated landing attempts. 

There are also indicators within the carcass of the bird: lesions seen on the heart, liver, gizzard, and intestines as well as areas of tissue death that appear as white or yellow "spots," according to the U.S. Geological Survey's National Wildlife Health Center.

Any meat or carcasses that are suspected of being infected should be immediately discarded. Yet Derrer said that the risk of illness should hopefully remain at a minimum if consumed.

"If it's properly cooked and handled," she told IndyStar, "in theory the heat should kill the bacteria so that it shouldn't be a food safety issue."

Nevertheless, hunters should wear gloves and avoid activities such as eating, drinking or smoking while cleaning the birds. The DNR also requested that hunters clean and disinfect waders, decoys, and other gear using warm, soapy water.

The U.S.G.S. National Wildlife Health Center conducted diagnostic testing that confirmed the presence of avian cholera in geese from Gibson County. Although the disease is common in North American waterfowl, this is the first time it has been documented in wild birds in Indiana, according to the DNR.

The Health Center's site explains that avian cholera is highly contagious and can spread rapidly among waterfowl, and thus prompt action is needed to prevent and minimize the spread of the disease.

In response to the discovery, state, federal and private agencies have increased their surveillance of the disease and are carefully disposing of carcasses to prevent exposure to other birds.

The state's goose season runs through Feb. 11.

Sarah Bowman and Emily Hopkins cover the environment for the star. Contact Emily at (317) 444-6409 or emily.hopkins@indystar.com. Follow them on Twitter: @_thetextfiles. Call Sarah at (317) 444-6129 and follow her on Twitter and Facebook: @IndyStarSarah.

IndyStar's environmental reporting project is made possible through the generous support of the nonprofit Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust.