Reporting Dead Birds
Dead
birds in an area may mean that West Nile virus is circulating between the
birds and the mosquitoes in that area. Over
110
species of birds are known to have been infected with West Nile virus.
Although birds, particularly crows and jays, infected with WN virus can die
or become ill, most infected birds do survive.
The
public can play an important role in monitoring West Nile virus through
reporting dead birds to state and local health departments. However, in some
areas, birds are no longer being collected. In addition, state and local
agencies have different policies for collecting and testing birds. See the
Links to
State and Local Government Sites page to find information about
reporting dead birds in your area.
PLEASE NOTE: Because CDC is a federal agency, we do not deal directly
with the reporting of dead birds. State and local health departments are
responsible for initiating these investigations. They report their findings
to CDC.
Contacting State and Local Health Agencies
Find
localized West Nile virus information and contacts on the
Links to
State and Local Government Sites page.
About the Virus,
the Disease, and Its Spread
West Nile virus is
spread by the bite of an infected mosquito, and can infect people, horses,
many types of birds, and some other animals.
Most people who
become infected with West Nile virus will have either no symptoms or only
mild ones. However, on rare occasions, West Nile virus infection can result
in severe and sometimes fatal illnesses.
There is no evidence
to suggest that West Nile virus can be spread from person to person or from
animal to person.
See the
Overview
of West Nile Virus section of our
Questions and
Answers pages and the
Background
page for details.
PLEASE NOTE:
CDC is not a hospital or clinical facility; we do not see patients and are
unable to diagnose your illness, provide treatment, prescribe medication, or
refer you to specialists.
If you have a medical
emergency, contacting CDC is not the proper way to get immediate help. If
you are a patient, please see your health care provider or the nearest
emergency room. If you are a health care provider, please contact your state
epidemiologist or local health department.
