Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Departments accepting birds for West Nile surveillance

Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Departments are now accepting crows, blue jays and robins for West Nile virus testing.

Collecting and testing dead birds is a component of the West Nile virus surveillance program. A mosquito acquires the West Nile virus from biting an infected bird. The mosquito can then bite and transfer the virus to humans. Monitoring bird populations helps to predict when and where humans will be at a higher risk for virus infections.

The public is encouraged to help find birds that may have died from the disease. To qualify for testing, birds must be fresh (usually dead less than 12 hours), and the carcass must not have obvious signs of trauma (struck by a vehicle, window or animal attack), decay or a strong odor. Birds dying from the West Nile virus usually are found singly, scattered over a wide area. In contrast, birds that die from other causes (storm mortality, food poisoning, toxicants) often die in groups or clusters.

Eligible birds include crows, blue jays and robins. Ineligible birds include waterfowl, gulls, vultures, turkeys, chickens and eagles.

Only adults should handle dead birds. Pick up the bird with gloves, a plastic bag, tongs or a shovel. Each bird should be double-bagged in clear plastic bags. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling the bird.

The Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Departments urge the public to take precautions to protect you and your family from mosquito bites. Outbreaks of West Nile virus occur each summer in the U.S. Warmer temperatures mean more mosquitoes. Take these common precautions to minimize mosquito bites this summer:

• Avoid being outdoors at dusk/night and early morning, when winds are light and mosquitoes are active.
• When outdoors, wear light-colored clothing and apply insect repellent.
• Ensure that doors and windows have tight, properly fitting screens.
• Eliminate all sources of standing water that support mosquito breeding (i.e., bird baths, wading pools, flowerpots, tires, cans, buckets, clogged gutters and abandoned swimming pools. This is especially important because large numbers of mosquitoes that carry WNV can emerge from even one shallow container of stagnant water.

For information regarding WNV or to submit a bird for testing, call the Bureau, Putnam and Marshall County Health Departments at 815-872-5091 to determine whether the bird is eligible before you touch or handle it.

Below is a list of helpful links regarding West Nile virus and eligible bird species. For information about WNV, visit the IDPH West Nile Virus page at dph.illinois.gov/topics-services/diseases-and-conditions/west-nile-virus or CDC West Nile Virus page at cdc.gov/westnile/index.html. To help identify birds, visit whatbird.com/birdexpert/StateColorSize/2/6430/birdexpert.aspx.