Report dead birds online to help state track spread of West Nile virus
To help track the spread of the virus that causes West Nile disease, the Washington State Department of Health has created a new online tool where you can report a dead bird sighting.
In particular, health officials want to know about dead crows, jays, ravens, magpies and hawks, which are particularly vulnerable to the virus and so can serve as an “early warning” system for West Nile.
The reporting page features an easy-to-use form you can use to provide details about when and where you found the dead bird and includes photos of crows, jays, ravens, magpies, and hawks to help you identify a bird you might find.
Last year, three state residents came down with the infection, which is spread by mosquitos.
Most people who are bitten by infected mosquitos never get sick, but some will develop flu-like symptoms and a few will develop meningitis or encephalitis, dangerous infections of the nervous system that can be fatal.
To reduce your risk of West Nile infection, the Department of Health recommends you take steps to avoid to avoid mosquito bites and reduce mosquito habitat around your home:
- Limit outdoor activities between dusk and dawn, when mosquitoes are the most active
- Wear long-sleeve shirts, long pants, and hats when going into mosquito-infested areas.
- Use an effective repellent on exposed skin; follow directions on the product label.
- Make sure window and door screens fit tight; repair or replace broken screens.Eliminate standing water in containers — buckets, old tires, wading pools, and birdbaths where mosquitoes can lay eggs. Also, fix leaky outdoor faucets and sprinklers.
To learn more:
- Visit the Washington State Department of Health’s West Nile virus Web page, which has a link to the new reporting form, as well as links to other educational and training materials.
- Visit the CDC’s West Nile virus information page.
