If birds in your flock have avian flu, or you suspect they might, take the following actions to protect yourself:

• Don't touch sick or dead birds, their feces or litter, or any surface or water source (for example, ponds, buckets, pans, troughs) that might be contaminated with their saliva, feces, or any other bodily fluids without wearing personal protective equipment (PPE).
• Wear PPE when around sick or dead birds.
• As best as possible, during depopulation and while cleaning and disinfecting contaminated premises, avoid stirring up dust, bird waste, and feathers to prevent virus from dispersing into the air.

Once avian flu infection is confirmed within a flock and premises, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) recommends that backyard owners continue to wear PPE when in contaminated areas until there are no longer infected birds, eggs, feces, or contaminated litter on the property. The recommendation to wear PPE when in contaminated areas (primary poultry housing: coops, runs, barns, etc.) depends on whether a 150-day fallow is used for virus elimination after flock depopulation.

North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services- Protect Your Flock

CDC Recommendations for Backyard Flock Owners

United States Department of Agriculture Biosecurity Checklist

Wild birds can carry avian flu without appearing sick.

People should avoid unprotected (not using respiratory and eye protection) exposures to sick or dead animals including wild birds, poultry, other domesticated birds, and other wild or domesticated animals.

Wildlife agencies regularly investigate reports of sick or dead animals. This type of reporting could help with the early detection of illnesses like West Nile virus or H5N1 bird flu.

If local authorities tell you to throw away the bird's carcass (body), don't touch it with your bare hands. Use gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out to place the body in a garbage bag, which can then be thrown away in your regular trash.

If you find dead wild animals you can report it by contacting the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission's (WRC) Wildlife Helpline at 866.318.2401, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM. You can also email the helpline at HWI@ncwildlife.org. 

Hunters who handle wild birds should dress game birds in the field when possible and practice good hygiene to prevent any potential disease spread. If possible, wear gloves, an N95 respirator if available or, if not available, a well-fitting facemask (e.g., a surgical mask), and eye protection when dressing birds. Afterwards, throw away the gloves and facemask and then wash your hands with soap and water. USDA has more information available on preventive actions for hunters.

If you had close contact with obviously sick or dead wild birds, or surfaces contaminated by them, contact your state or local health department. In the meantime, watch for the symptoms listed below. If you develop symptoms, contact your state or local health department. 

More information on general safety guidelines for hunters handling wildlife and their tissues is available from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's website.

As a general precaution, whenever possible people should avoid direct contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, and other animals and observe them only from a distance.

If you must have direct/close contact with sick or dead wild birds, poultry, or other animals, wear recommended personal protective equipment (PPE). Wild birds can be infected with avian flu viruses even if they don't look sick.

Do not touch surfaces or materials (e.g., animal litter or bedding material) contaminated with saliva, mucous, or animal feces from wild or domestic birds or other animals with confirmed or suspected avian flu virus infection.

Do not touch or consume raw milk or raw milk products, especially from animals with confirmed or suspected avian influenza A virus infection.

People who become sick within 10 days of their exposure to infected or potentially infected birds or other animals should isolate at home away from their household members and should not go to work or school until they are proven not to have avian flu virus infection. The local or state public health department should be notified and can assist in testing if needed, monitoring and advising when isolation is no longer required.

CDC- What to Know about Bird Flu Handout

You can help by reporting sick/dead wildlife to the NC Wildlife Helpline (Monday-Friday, 8 am – 5 pm) or anytime via the NC Wildlife Helpline email address. People can reduce human-caused spread of HPAI by removing food sources that encourage birds to congregate and feed in one location. Cease any feeding of wild ducks and geese. Consider removing bird feeders, especially near domestic poultry, or at least regularly sanitizing feeders and bird baths.