State health officials are asking the public to be on the alert for reporting dead birds possibly linked to a West Nile Virus outbreak.
Sunny days and warmer temperatures make way for lots of outdoor activities. It’s also mosquito season, which increases the risk for West Nile virus and the need to avoid mosquito bites.
The state Department of Health has resumed tracking the rare but potentially deadly virus with an online dead bird reporting system that the public can use to alert authorities to potential health hazards. Two such birds were discovered to have died from the virus and found by the residents in King County in 2009.
“It’s important to track West Nile virus so people have the information they need to avoid getting sick,” said Maryanne Guichard, assistant secretary for the state Department of Health’s environmental public health division. “This system helps show where West Nile virus activity is in our state. It also lends a hand to counties where resources are limited.”
Locating and testing dead birds is one way to track West Nile virus since it’s primarily a disease of birds — especially crows, ravens, jays, magpies, and hawks. These birds often die when infected with West Nile virus. The Department of Health asks people to watch for dead birds and report them online or contact their local health agency. Dead bird monitoring is encouraged from May through November.
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