Boulder County Public Health Expands
Testing of Birds for West Nile Virus
Due to the low number of dead birds submitted for West Nile Virus (WNV) testing, Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) officials announced today they will expand dead bird testing for the presence of West Nile Virus. Grackles, sparrows, and house finches are now being accepted in addition to Corvids, which include ravens, crows, magpies, and jays.
The bird testing is part of BCPH’s surveillance program that monitors West Nile Virus activity throughout the county. The program tracks test results of birds, mosquitoes, chickens, horses, and humans using geographic mapping systems.
Birds testing positive for West Nile Virus are still believed to be the earliest indication for presence of the disease. “The intent is to closely monitor the virus’ activity by location and time so that we can identify areas in the county where the risk of human infection may be high,” said Heath Harmon, BCPH Communicable Disease Control Coordinator.
Last year there were 7 deaths and 430 confirmed cases of West Nile Virus reported in Boulder County.
To be eligible and accepted for testing, a dead bird must meet the following criteria:
Be a sparrow, grackle, or finch, OR be a member of the corvid family (includes ravens, crows, magpies, and jays).
Be dead less than 48 hours.
An exact location of where the bird was found must be provided (street address or cross street).
Birds such as starlings, pigeons, robins, small blackbirds, and other songbirds WILL NOT be accepted for testing. Additionally, dried out, foul, or maggot-infested birds cannot be tested and will be rejected. If several birds from one area have been submitted for testing, additional birds from the same area may be unnecessary and could also be rejected.
If a bird meets the testing criteria, residents should call the Colorado Department of Public Health and the Environment (CDPHE) hotline at 877-462-2911, Boulder County Public Health at 303-441-1564, or the local
animal control agency responsible for the area where the bird was found.
Upon contacting BCPH or the local animal control agency, you will be advised as to whether or not the bird is needed for testing and how it should be collected and submitted. If the bird does not meet the criteria for testing, the carcass should be disposed of in the trash.
Boulder County Public Health does not conduct bird testing, but submits them to the CDPHE laboratory in Denver or one of five regional public health laboratories.
Public health officials are being vigilant about West Nile Virus this year and will be using all available means to control the mosquitoes that carry and spread the disease to humans. “The key to mosquito control is to identify breeding areas and eliminate the larvae before they hatch into adults,” said Joe Malinowski, Boulder County Public Health Consumer Protection Coordinator. “Spraying pesticides to kill adult mosquitoes is considered a last line of defense, and therefore only comprises about 2 percent of our control efforts.”
Contact: James Burrus, Media Information Officer, 303-441-1622 or
Joe Malinowski, Public Health Consumer Protection Coordinator, 303-441-1197
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