TURKEY VIRUSES IN MAINE’S WILD TURKEY POPULATION

What you should know and do if you shoot a wild turkey that looks like this:

Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife - MDIFW

Turkey hunters should be aware of Avian Pox and another virus called Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV).Read below tofind outmore about the viruses and what to do if you shoot or see a turkey that has looks like the above pictures.

What is Avian Pox virus (see Pictures above)?

This is a virus that causes minor to extreme lesions on a turkey’s head and legs. It is spread between turkeys by direct skin contact or through mosquito bites.Some turkeys can fend off minor infections and survive while others can develop lesionsthat inhibit their sight and ability to eat, which can lead to death.

What is Lymphoproliferative Disease Virus (LPDV)?

This is a virus that causes lethargy and compromises the wild turkey immune system. It is thought to spread between turkeys by direct skin contact.

Are there health risks for humans?

Bothviral diseasespose no risk to human health. However, like all infections, caution is advised while handling a bird with LPDV and Avian Pox. There is a potential for secondary bacterial infections if birds are handled improperly. Thoroughly cooking the meat to an internal temperature of a minimum of 165°F is also advised.

What should I do if I shoot a bird that looks like this?

Although wild turkeys cannot pass these viruses on to humans, if you shoot a bird that looks like the above pictures and you do not want to eat it, do NOT register it and please contact a Wildlife Biologist at one of the offices listed below or call the Department of Public Safety in Augusta at (800) 452-4664 to be connected with a Game Warden. After examining the bird, the Department staff member will determine your eligibility to harvest another turkey.

Where did these viruses come from?

Little is known about the origin of LPDV in the United States. LPDV was first detected in domestic turkeys in Europe. The first confirmed case in the United Sates was in wild turkeys in Georgia in 2009. MDIFW confirmed Maine’s first case of LPDV in April 2012. Avian Pox is a common virus that has been found in wild and domestic turkeys and chickens in other states. Currently, known cases occur virtually wherever wild turkeys are present. We speculate that a combination of a very good turkey production year in Maine in 2011and 2012 and the mild winter of 2011-2012 may have contributed to the apparent increase in occurrence in our state. When animal populations reach high levels, viral diseases spread more frequently.

If you shoot a wild turkey with these lesions, please contact the IFW office closest to you:
Ashland – (207) 435-3231 Bangor – (207) 941-4466 Enfield – (207) 732-4132

Gray – (207) 657-2345Greenville – (207) 695-3756 Jonesboro – (207) 434-5927

Sidney – (207) 547-5318Strong – (207) 778-3324