Hunter Safety
Healthy looking and acting wild birds can be infected with bacteria, viruses and parasites that can move between wildlife and people. Therefore, it is always best to be safe by wearing basic protection and keeping tools and work surfaces clean when preparing game animals. Clean and sanitary handling of animals and meat helps prevent both common and serious infections.
Avian influenza viruses (including H5N1) are shed from birds in fluid discharges and fecal material, so avoiding contact with these materials while plucking and cleaning birds is a good practice. Most viruses do not persist very long after they have left their host and can be neutralized with heat, drying, and disinfectants.
Thoroughly washing hands with soap and water (or with alcohol-based hand products if the hands are not visibly soiled) is a very effective method for inactivating influenza viruses. These viruses are also inactivated with many common disinfectants such as detergents, 10% household bleach, alcohol or other commercial disinfectants. The virus is more difficult to inactivate in organic material such as feces or soil.
Hunters should follow routine precautions when handling game:
- Do not handle or butcher game animals that are obviously sick or are found dead;
- Do not eat, drink, or smoke while cleaning game;
- Wear rubber gloves and washable clothing when cleaning game;
- Wash your hands with soap and water or alcohol wipes immediately after handling game;
- Wash tools and working surfaces with soap and water, then disinfect with a 10 percent solution of chlorine bleach
- Place uncooked game in a plastic bag or container for transport.
- Cook game meat thoroughly until it reaches an internal temperature of 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
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| © This site is a collaborative effort of the New Mexico Department of Health, the New Mexico Cooperative Extension Service, the New Mexico Department of Agriculture, the New Mexico Livestock Board, and the New Mexico Department of Game and Fish.
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