Department of Health

West Nile Virus
Reporting Dead Birds

Reporting Dead Birds to the Health Department
Each year many species of birds are tested for West Nile Virus and other diseases. Bird species of particular interest are crows and Bluejays as they are good indicators of WNV in an area. Other species of interest are hawks and owls. It is important to report dead birds immediately to the local health department. However, not all birds will be collected for testing.

What do you do if you find a bird that you believe the local health department may want for testing?
1. Call the local health department: Chautauqua County 716-753-4481
2. Collect the dead or dying bird and place it in a container without coming into direct contact with the bird. This can be accomplished with a shovel, gloves or plastic bags.
3. Keep the dead or dying bird out of direct sunlight and heat.
4. If it is a weekend and you cannot get in touch with the local health department. Collect the specimen and place it in the freezer. This preserves the animal for testing. Or you may properly dispose of the bird as described below.

How do you dispose of a dead bird that is not wanted by the local health department for testing?
If a bird has been dead for more than two days, it may be unsuitable for testing especially in the warmer, wetter times of the summer due to the faster rate of decay.

1. Use a shovel or rubber gloves to put the bird carcass into two plastic bags
2. Place the bag in the trash. Make sure the trash can has a tight fitting lid or is kept away from animals that may scavenge the trash.

MOSQUITO TESTING IN CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY

REALATED WEBSITE LINKS

NYS Department of Health	http://www.health.state.ny.us/diseases/west_nile_virus/
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention	http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/
Audubon	http://www.audubon.org/bird/wnv/