Guidance for Animal Control Officers Responding to Avian Influenza Mortality
Events & Public Inquiries
Overview
As an Animal Control Officer, you may be receiving inquiries from the public about HPAI or assisting
with carcass collection and disposal. Please review the detailed guidance below and remember
these quick tips:
• Report sick or dead wild birds to MassWildlife at www.mass.gov/reportbirds
• Report domestic poultry and livestock to MDAR at 617-626-1795 or online using Poultry
Disease Reporting Form
• ACOs should use PPE whenever handling sick or dead animals
• Advise the public to avoid handling sick or dead wildlife
What is the Concern?
Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) is highly transmissible and poses a threat to domestic
poultry, wild birds, scavenging mammals, and in rare cases human health. Wild birds play a key role
in the epidemiology and spread of HPAI (both locally and over long distances). HPAI can infect all
avian species and some mammal species through contact with saliva, mucous, or feces from
infected birds. Infections are most commonly seen in waterbirds (geese, swans, ducks, gulls, and
shorebirds), raptors, and scavengers.
Clinical Signs in Wildlife
Among wild bird species, the signs and severity of disease can be extremely variable. It is important
to note that some species of birds may be infected with HPAI and remain asymptomatic. Clinical
signs include: Death; diarrhea; respiratory signs (coughing, sneezing); discharge from the mouth,
nose, ears, or vent (clear, cloudy, or greenish); behavioral abnormalities (lethargy, huddled posture);
neurological abnormalities (falling over, circling, head tilt or twisting, tremors); and abnormal
locomotion that cannot be explained by traumatic injuries (unable to stand, walk, or fly properly).
Carcass Handling and Disposal
Sick birds should be left where they are found. While not all birds will succumb to avian influenza,
mortality commonly occurs within 48 hours of infection. Risk of virus transmission is greater from
living birds than carcasses. Following mortality, carcasses can be collected and disposed of when
necessary. Removing infected carcasses from the environment may assist in decreasing the
amount of virus present and will limit exposure to scavenger species.
PPE
Personal protective equipment (PPE) should be worn at all times when handling carcasses and
disposal containers/bags.
Recommended PPE:
• Disposable gloves, N95 mask, eye protection (goggles or face shield), coveralls (disposable
or washable) or a change of outer clothing (long pants, long sleeves), and shoe covers or
washable boots.
Additional best practices:
• Do not eat, drink, or smoke while handling carcasses and until hands have been washed or
sanitized.
● Note that birds may be asymptomatic carriers of HPAI and PPE should still be worn even if
carcasses appear in good condition or when the only sign of disease is acute mortality.
● HPAI has been detected in multiple wild mammals including foxes, coyotes, skunks,
raccoons, and opossums. These species may also be involved in mortality events and
appropriate PPE and carcass disposal protocols should be followed.
Disposal & Cleaning
Carcass Disposal
• Double bag carcasses, tie bags tightly.
• Ensure the bag is sealed, then choose an EPA registered an�microbial product effec�ve
against avian influenza, or a spray bottle with 70% ethanol, and spray the outside of the bag
with disinfectant solution.
• Dispose of carcasses in local landfill or as your municipality requires.
PPE Disposal
• Non-disposable garments may be removed and placed in a trash bag or re-sealable bag.
• Gloves, boot covers, and other disposable PPE may be combined into a separate re-
sealable bag.
• For disposable items: Use an EPA registered an�microbial product effec�ve against avian
influenza, 70% ethanol, or 20 mL of household bleach added into the re-sealable bag with
the waste. Seal the bag and spray the outside of the bag with additional disinfectant
solution. Shake bag to mix the disinfectant and waste. Bring to the local landfill or dispose
of waste as your municipality requires.
• For non-disposable garments: Ensure the bag is sealed, then choose an EPA registered
an�microbial product effec�ve against avian influenza, or a spray bottle with 70% ethanol, and
spray the outside of the bag with disinfectant solution. Wash contaminated garments
separately using standard laundry detergent. Empty the contents of the bag into the
laundry machine carefully, wearing disposable gloves and only touching the disinfected
exterior of the bag. Machine-dry garments at the highest temperature suitable for the
material. Drop disposable gloves into the bag that held the contaminated garments, reseal,
and dispose of in trash. Wash hands thoroughly.
• Cleaning: Use an EPA registered an�microbial product effec�ve against avian influenza to
disinfect all non-porous surfaces that may have been contacted during or after disposal.
o Examples: Any objects touched with dirty gloves, washable boots, goggles and non-
disposable face shields, vehicle steering wheels, cellphones, keys.
o https://www.epa.gov/pesticide-registration/epas-registered-antimicrobial-
products-effective-against-avian-influenza
• Disinfect field equipment between work sites.
Health Monitoring
• If you use PPE appropriately when handling carcasses, your risk of getting sick from avian
influenza is low.
• Public health authorities recommend that you monitor your health for signs of influenza
infection for ten days after your last exposure to potentially HPAI virus-infected birds.
• Contact your healthcare provider if you develop fever, flu-like symptoms, or conjunctivitis
(eye inflammation). Inform them that you may have been exposed to avian influenza and
explain the PPE you wore.
• If you handled carcasses from a confirmed HPAI outbreak and did NOT wear the
recommended PPE, please contact the Department of Public Health 24/7 at 617-983-6800
for advice.
• More information regarding humans and avian influenza can be found through
Massachusetts Department of Public Health and the CDC.
Reporting
Wild birds: Report bird morbidity (severe illness) or mortality events greater than 5 birds and any
events involving multiple species or raptors to MassWildlife using the online report form at
mass.gov/reportbirds. This allows for tracking and testing to document and respond to potential
outbreaks.
Domestic birds: Report sick or dead poultry or other domestic birds using MDAR’s online reporting
form (https://www.mass.gov/forms/poultry-disease-reporting-form) or by calling MDAR’s Division
of Animal Health at (617) 626-1795. Guidance on keeping domestic birds safe can be found at:
https://www.mass.gov/info-details/avian-influenza
Public Communications
Handling birds: The public should be advised to avoid handling any dead birds or birds showing
signs of illness. If a property owner finds dead wildlife on their property, instruct them to use
caution and never touch a dead animal with bare hands. If an individual must handle dead birds on
their property for disposal, they should be advised to wear gloves, avoid letting the carcasses touch
their clothes, double bag and dispose of the carcasses and wash hands thoroughly afterwards.
• Landfill: For small- and medium-sized animals, wear gloves or use a shovel to place the
carcass into a garbage can lined with two trash bags. Seal the bags and leave in the can for
garbage pickup or bring to a landfill. For large-sized animals, contact the town department
of public works to see if they’re willing to collect and dispose of the carcass.
• Hiring a Problem Animal Control (PAC) Agent: If the individual doesn’t feel comfortable
removing a dead animal from their property, they can consider hiring a licensed PAC agent
to remove the carcass. PAC agents are contractors and may charge to provide this service. A
professional may be especially helpful in removing dead animals found in the attic, under a
house, or inside walls. Click here to find a list of PAC agents.
Reporting: Direct the public to report the wild bird mortality event at mass.gov/reportbirds or
sick/dead poultry to (https://www.mass.gov/forms/poultry-disease-reporting-form).
Mortalities on public property
In areas with ongoing mortalities or visibly ill wildlife, towns can deploy signage to assist in keeping
citizens away from areas with suspected HPAI infected wildlife.
Birds displaying signs of illness consistent with HPAI are not candidates for rehabilitation and
should be left where they are found. Collecting ill birds and transporting them increases both the
risk of spreading the disease to additional locations and the risk of transmission to the human.
Sick birds and infected carcasses can contaminate open bodies of water with HPAI. As not all birds
shedding HPAI show signs of illness, pets should be kept leashed and away from water where
waterbirds reside. Public water supplies are disinfected with chemicals which are highly effective at
inactivating the virus, rendering public drinking water safe.
Mortalities on private property
In most cities and towns, removing dead animals on private land is the responsibility of the property
owner. However, for a larger number of carcasses resulting from a confirmed HPAI outbreak, it may
be advisable for a municipality to provide assistance with collection and disposal if possible.