More on Bird Testing for West Nile Virus
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.
To be eligible and accepted for testing, a dead bird must meet the following criteria:
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Be a member of the corvid family (includes ravens, crows, magpies, and jays).
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Be a raptor (includes owls, hawks, eagles, and
falcons).
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Be dead less than 48 hours.
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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 Environment (CDPHE) hotline at 877-462-2911,
or Boulder County Public Health (BCPH) at 303-441-1564. Upon contacting BCPH, you will be advised 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.”
When handling the dead bird, remember:
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Don't touch it. If possible, put the bird in a clear plastic bag.
Avoid bare-handed contact with any dead animals, and use gloves or an
inverted plastic bag to place the bird carcass in a garbage bag.
Boulder County Public Health (BCPH), in collaboration
with the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment, is taking
an active role in providing information about WNV and increasing
the awareness of residents of Boulder County on how they can participate
in the effort to prevent the virus.
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