Should wild birds be culled if they are infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI)?

Answer

Neither the World Health Organization (WHO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), nor wildlife professionals recommend killing wild birds as a viable strategy to stamp out or contain the spread of HPAI. Attempts to shoot or trap wild birds may disperse flocks and spread the virus to new areas.

Related Bird & Animal Frequent Questions

• What kinds of wild birds primarily carry avian influenza?
• What precautions can be taken to reduce the risk from infection from wild birds in the United States?
• What if a wild bird infected with highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is found on a National Wildlife Refuge?
• What precautions can hunters take to reduce the risk for infection from avian influenza when hunting birds in the United States?
• Has avian influenza been found on any National Wildlife Refuge?
• 
  
• All Bird & Animal Frequent Questions
• Frequent Questions Home

Last Updated: 03/21/2007