Pheasants resistant to West Nile virus

By Kevin Woster, Journal Staff Writer | Wednesday, October 22, 2003

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The ring-necked pheasant is a tough bird to kill, even for the West Nile virus.

The gaudy state bird known for its wily ways and ability to fly through a shower of shotgun pellets also appears to be resistant to West Nile. Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist in Pierre, said pheasants, chickens and turkeys are part of a family of birds that resists the disease.

"It has to do with innate susceptibility to a disease, and pheasants aren't a good resident host for West Nile," Kightlinger said. "They've done studies to expose birds to West Nile. And pheasants rate a zero. To me, that's very, very good news."

It's also good news to the state tourism industry, which counts on pheasant hunters — and the healthy pheasant population that attracts them — to spend more than $100 million a year.

And it's especially good news for hunters who are handling pheasants by the thousands these days and often ending up with blood on their hands. It's conceivable that the West Nile virus could be passed to a human through the blood of an infected bird, although such transmission has never been documented.

Chances are even lower with pheasants, because they aren't as likely to contract the disease, Kightlinger said.

Crows, magpies and bluejays are highly susceptible to West Nile and would pose a much greater threat to hunters, he said. But magpies and bluejays aren't legal to hunt. And crows, although currently in season in South Dakota, aren't popular table fare.

"I don't think people eat crows. It's fortunate, because crows, magpies and bluejays are really the best reservoirs for the disease," Kightlinger said. "Crows especially are very hot with the virus."

Even with pheasants, Kightlinger recommends that hunters wash pheasant blood off their hands and wear protective gloves when cleaning the birds. That's a good idea with other game as well, including some birds that might be more susceptible to West Nile than the pheasant.

The state has tested five prairie chickens this year, three of which were positive for West Nile. Two of 15 mourning doves were positive, and one of two Canada geese. Three pheasants tested negative.

The state also had one positive test on a Canada goose last year.

The disease can infect deer and elk, like other mammals. Cases have been confirmed in mule deer in Colorado, Kightlinger said.

Kightlinger said that even if some wild game had the virus, it would be killed by traditional cooking methods. However, he said the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had raised the question of whether jerky made from venison or goose could pose a West Nile risk.

"They're urging scientific study," he said. "There's no real information on whether West Nile could survive in dried jerky."

Contact Kevin Woster at 394-8413 or kevin.woster@rapidcityjournal.com