Reporting dead birds is important to monitoring West Nile Virus and Avian Influenza diseases.
Download a free installation of Microsoft Windows Media version 9 to view the public service announcement for reporting dead birds. This video was produced by CVTV.
West Nile virus has not been detected in the Southwest Washington area. Last year, however, the neighboring states of Oregon and Idaho each had three human cases of the disease. As a result of the continued spread of West Nile Virus, health department and Mosquito Control District efforts to monitor and prevent West Nile virus have increased.
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Crows, jays and raptors are susceptible to |
No Avian Influenza has been detected in birds anywhere in North America, though state biologists are monitoring for this. If you find a single dead waterfowl or shorebird, or five or more dead birds of another kind, please report it to the Health Department. We will notify the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife of this report. They will evaluate whether or not the birds should be collected for testing.
To report a dead bird to Public Health:
- Use the web-based form OR call Public Health at (360) 397-8482 and leave your recorded information.
- Do not handle dead birds with your bare hands. Use, gloves, a shovel or a plastic bag over your hand to pick up a dead bird. Double-wrap in two plastic bags. Store in a cool place, a refrigerator or freezer is ideal.
- Only some crows, jays or raptors will be selected for West Nile Virus testing.
- If you have found a crow, jay or raptor and the bird is fresh and undamaged, please keep the bird for possible West Nile Virus testing. A public health staff person will contact you within 24 hours to arrange testing. If you are not contacted within 24 hours, please dispose of the bird in your household garbage.
- Do not bring dead birds to the Public Health Department unless you have been directed to do so by a public health staff person. Dead birds will not be accepted at the Public Health Department.
Thank you for assisting the public health department in efforts to protect public health.
