(Spirit Lake)– Area hunters are being told to take additional precautions in handling dead birds because of the presence of West Nile Virus in the local bird population.
Mary Dunleavy of the Dickinson County Public Health Office says hunters should wear gloves when handling birds. Dunleavy says there’s a possibility blood from an infected bird could enter a hunter through cuts or abrasions on the fingers or hands.
When it comes to consuming foul that’s been infected by West Nile, Dunleavy says there shouldn’t be a problem as long as it’s properly cooked.
Dunleavy adds hunters and anyone else spending time outdoors still need to protect themselves against mosquitoes. She says the threat should greatly diminish once there’s been a killing frost.
Duck season in Iowa opened this past Saturday.
