The Illinois Department of Public Health does not collect and test birds for AVIAN FLU. For questions about wildlife and avian flu, contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources (see RESOURCES in the right-hand column). For questions about poultry and avian flu contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture (see RESOURCES in the right-hand column). If you have general questions about avian flu, visit the IDPH Avian Influenza site.
The collecting and testing of dead birds and mosquitoes are important components of our West Nile virus surveillance program. Results of these tests help us determine the extent of West Nile virus activity. Because the virus generally appears and grows in Illinois bird and mosquito populations before it is transmitted to humans, monitoring bird and mosquito populations helps us predict when and where humans will be at risk for West Nile virus infection as well as where and when additional precautions and control measures should be taken. While many health departments, mosquito abatement districts and other agencies collect and test mosquitoes, we ask the public for help with the collection of dead birds. If you find a dead bird, contact your local health department; it is the agency authorized to pick up dead birds for testing. However, before you ask your local health department to pick up a dead bird, please ensure the following criteria are met: 1. The bird is dead, but the carcass is in good condition. Birds should be dead no more than about 48 hours prior to collection, and should not show signs of advanced decomposition (maggots, strong odor, dried or deflated eyes). 2. The bird shows no sign it died of causes other than disease. Birds with obvious injuries such as wounds or missing parts should not be submitted for testing. Likewise, crushed carcasses and birds found along roadways are not acceptable. 3. The bird must be a one that is acceptable for testing. Some acceptable species are crows, blue jays, grackles, starlings, robins, cardinals, sparrows, finches, hawks and owls. Birds that will not be accepted include pigeons, ducks, geese, chickens, other large birds and endangered species. To help identify the type of bird, see the pictures below. Additional bird s and identification information also is available at the Illinois Raptor Center (see RESOURCES in the right-hand column). If a bird meets these conditions, please call your local health department. Your health department will determine if the bird is acceptable for testing and will pick up acceptable birds. Note that local health departments are authorized to collect a limited number of birds each season (May 1 to October 15). The decision to accept a bird for testing also is based on the bird’s locality. For example, when one or two birds from the same place have tested positive for West Nile virus, there is often no need to test additional birds from that city or locale. Any dead bird that is not collected for testing should be properly disposed of. Use gloves of rubber or latex (i.e., not cloth) or a plastic bag over your hands – or use a shovel, tongs or other instrument to pick up the bird and place it in a plastic bag. Make sure the beak or claws don’t puncture the bag. Seal the bag and then seal it inside a second plastic bag. Put the double-bagged bird with trash that will be picked up, or bury it away from water sources. Wash your hands with soap immediately after disposing of the bird.
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It is not the practice of the Illinois Department of Public Health to gather and test birds for avian flu. Contact the Illinois Department of Natural Resources with any inquiries you may have regarding wildlife and avian flu (see RESOURCES in the right-hand column). Contact the Illinois Department of Agriculture with any inquiries you may have regarding poultry and avian flu (see RESOURCES in the right-hand column). For general inquiries regarding avian influenza, please visit the IDPH Avian Influenza website.
Deceased birds and mosquitoes are crucial elements of our West Nile virus surveillance program that we gather and examine. The outcomes of these tests aid in our assessment of the level of West Nile virus activity. Monitoring bird and mosquito populations helps us predict when and where humans will be at risk for West Nile virus infection as well as where and when additional precautions and control measures should be taken. This is because the virus typically appears and grows in Illinois bird and mosquito populations before it is transmitted to humans. We solicit assistance from the public in gathering dead birds, even though numerous health departments, mosquito abatement districts, and other organizations gather and test mosquitoes. The organization authorized to collect dead birds for testing is your local health department, so get in touch with them if you find one. However, please make sure the following conditions are satisfied before requesting that your local health department remove a dead bird: 1 Although the bird is dead, the carcass is in good shape. The birds must have died no more than 48 hours before they are collected, and they must not have displayed any symptoms of advanced decomposition, such as maggots, a strong stench, or dried or deflated eyes. 2. The bird doesn’t appear to have died from anything other than illness. It is not appropriate to submit birds for testing if they have visible wounds or missing parts. Similarly, it is unacceptable to find birds and crushed carcasses beside roads. 3. The bird needs to be one that is suitable for examination. Crows, blue jays, grackles, starlings, robins, cardinals, sparrows, finches, hawks, and owls are a few acceptable species. Pigeons, ducks, geese, chickens, and other large birds as well as endangered species will not be accepted. See the images below to aid in identifying the species of bird. The Illinois Raptor Center also has more bird information and identification guides available (see RESOURCES in the right-hand column). Should a bird fulfill these requirements, kindly contact your nearby health department. If the bird is suitable for testing, your health department will decide and will collect the suitable birds. Keep in mind that local health departments have permission to gather a specific quantity of birds every season, which runs from May 1 to October 15. The bird’s locality is taken into consideration when deciding whether to accept it for testing. For instance, it’s usually not necessary to test more birds from that city or location if one or two birds from that area have tested positive for the West Nile virus. Dead birds that are not collected for testing ought to be disposed of appropriately. Use gloves of rubber or latex (i. e. rather than fabric) or a plastic bag over your hands; alternatively, pick up the bird and put it in a plastic bag using a shovel, tongs, or another tool. Make sure the beak or claws don’t puncture the bag. Close the bag, then close it within a second plastic bag. Bury the double-bagged bird far from any water sources, or place it with garbage that will be picked up. After getting rid of the bird, immediately wash your hands with soap.
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