Yellowknife (Apr 28/06) - Avian flu is not a concern this spring for wild birds in the Northwest Territories.

That's according to Dr. David Butler-Jones, the chief public health officer for Canada, and Dr. Andre Corriveau, the chief medical health officer for the Northwest Territories.

Precautions for hunters Do not handle or eat sick game. Wear rubber or disposable latex gloves while handling and cleaning game. Wash hands, knives, equipment and surfaces that come in contact with game Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling birds and animals. Ensure all game is thoroughly cooked.

The two health officials discussed avian flu and pandemic influenza during a media briefing in Yellowknife on April 21.

There have been no reported cases of H5N1 avian flu in NWT wild birds, said Corriveau. He noted, however, that birds in the NWT were not included in last year's surveillance testing.

The Department of Health and Social Services has been working with renewable resource officers to develop a surveillance system for birds coming from the south. Tests will start this summer, said Corriveau.

There is a chance cases could be found in the fall as birds return south from the Arctic, where they would have mingled with flocks travelling from other countries, said Butler-Jones.

As the spring hunt for wild birds begins, concerns about avian flu are being voiced in communities.

In Fort Providence, resource manager Darren Campbell is getting phone calls from people asking questions on behalf of elders.

There have been some mixed messages that have confused people, said Campbell.

Some young hunters have decided not to join the hunt this year to be safe, but there has still been a huge turn-out for geese hunting, which started last weekend, said Campbell.

In Fort Simpson, Edward Cholo, a local harvester, has heard people talking about avian flu. While some have questions, it hasn't stopped them from eating duck soup this year, he said.

Michael Cazon, who also hunts ducks and geese, said he doesn't take chances with birds if he doesn't have to. Because the birds are migratory, he worries about avian flu and whether the birds have been swimming in ponds contaminated by development.

Avian flu was first recognized in Hong Kong in 1997 and has been gradually spreading along migratory bird pathways.

Corriveau said it's still primarily a disease found in birds and there have been no reported cases of the flu passing between humans.

There is also no evidence of people contracting avian flu through contact with wild birds or by eating their meat. Most cases have come from close contact with sick domestic birds, said Butler-Jones.

Worldwide, several thousand people have been exposed to avian flu. Only a few hundred have been infected and died, said Corriveau.

Although avian flu has not been found in the NWT, routine precautions should be followed, he noted. Hunters should rely on traditional knowledge to tell them if a bird is acting unnaturally. Also, any findings of dead birds in the wild should be reported to wildlife officers, Corriveau said.

Plans are being developed in the NWT and across Canada to deal with any form of pandemic influenza.