Possible avian influenza outbreak at Key Pittman WMA

The Nevada Department of Wildlife has identified a possible outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) at Key Pittman Wildlife Management Area and Pahranagat National Wildlife Refuge in Lincoln County. Of 70 samples tested, 10 ducks tested positive for avian influenza and seven of the 10 were positive for the highly pathogenic variety.

Final confirmation of those test results is pending from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Nevertheless, with waterfowl hunting season slated to open Saturday morning in the valley, hunters should be aware that HPAI is on the landscape.

“HPAI typically doesn’t have much of an impact on the overall population of waterfowl,” said NDOW Wildlife Veterinarian Nate LaHue. “However, with waterfowl hunting season underway in some areas and opening day approaching in the Southern Zone, we encourage hunters and other outdoor enthusiasts to take proper precautions to keep themselves and their pets safe.”

Avian influenza is a naturally occurring type A influenza virus that mostly circulates in wild waterfowl without any signs of illness and low mortality rates. It was first confirmed in Nevada’s wild bird populations in July 2022.

Though the current strain of the virus appears to pose a low risk for human infection, hunters should keep the following tips in mind to keep themselves and their dogs safe while in the field:

• Never handle, consume or bring home sick or dead waterfowl.
• Harvest only birds that appear and act healthy.
• Wear gloves and eye protection when cleaning birds and do so only in a well-ventilated area.
• Remove intestines, discard soon after harvesting and avoid direct contact with them.
• Do not eat, drink or smoke while handling carcasses.
• Wash hands after handling game, and clean equipment.
• Cook all game to an internal temperature of 165F before consuming.
• Do not let dogs come into contact with sick birds or dead birds that you have not harvested.
• Do not let dogs consume raw meat, including from waterfowl.
• If your dog becomes ill, seek veterinary care and mention that you have been hunting with your dog.

“We expect avian influenza to potentially be wherever there are waterfowl,” LaHue said. “Whether or not there will be an outbreak at other WMAs, I don’t know. At this point we expect avian influenza to be wherever migrating waterfowl are; it seems endemic.”

NDOW will continue to monitor the situation. More information about avian influenza can be found online at

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)