Boulder County Public Health begins testing birds for West Nile Virus

Boulder County Public Health officials announced today they will begin accepting dead birds from the corvid family for testing for the presence of West Nile Virus beginning May 3, 2004. This includes ravens, crows, magpies and jays.

The bird testing is part of Boulder County Public Health's (BCPH) 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 will probably be the earliest indication for presence of the disease in Boulder County.

"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 seven 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 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 sparrows, starlings, pigeons, finches, robins, small blackbirds and 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 not be unnecessary and could be rejected.

If a bird meets the testing criteria, residents should contact 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 do 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."

For more information about West Nile Virus, go to: www.bouldercountymosquito.net or call the Boulder County Public Health hotline at 303-441-1460.