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Further, 20 of the 37 birds in Wisconsin and 13 of the 20 birds in Michigan were likely to have been exposed. It should be noted that officials testing birds split positive cases between “confirmed” and “likely.” All three states had more likely cases than confirmed, it was most notable in Minnesota where 36 of the 39 birds were labeled as likely infected. Like Minnesota, Wisconsin had no grouse with the virus in the heart among their 2019 samples, though two birds tested positive for the virus in the heart tissue the prior year. Of the state’s 188 samples, 20% (37) tested positive, compared to 29% from 2018. Wisconsin had a higher rate of positive tests. No birds sampled in either 2018 or 2019 had the virus in its heart when harvested. This was right on the mark from the first-year of 12.5%. Minnesota’s positive rates have been similar to Michigan, with 12.3% (39 birds) testing positive in 2019. Then there were four, less than 2%, positive for the virus ,” noted Stewart. There were nine, or 4%, that was confirmed for West Nile Virus exposure, and there were 19, or 9%, that was likely exposed to West Nile Virus. “ In 2018, 13% were positive for antibodies consistent with West Nile exposure. Michigan’s tests from the 2019 samples are still being checked in the lab, but Michigan Department of Natural Resources Upland Game Bird Specialist Al Stewart says the other states saw no major changes compared to their 2018 results, and he expects the same for Michigan.
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The results from 20 also showed that these birds can survive being infected. While some birds did test positive for WNV antibodies, the percentages were low. In 2018, Michigan tested 213 samples, Wisconsin tested 235, and Minnesota tested 273. The total number of samples was up a bit from the 721 submitted the year prior, though Wisconsin’s individual sample total went down. In total, hunters provided 786 samples in all three states from the 2019 hunting season: 281 from Michigan, 188 from Wisconsin and 317 from Minnesota. The second-year results for the Great Lake states’ collaborative West Nile Virus (WNV) study are in, and there’s good news, bad news and hope, for ruffed grouse in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota.
Phasant hunting s w michigan update#
Photo By | Timothy Flanigan An update on West Nile Virus in Ruffed Grouse and a test kit how-to video.