To report dead birds found in Vermont call the VT Department of Health Dead Bird Reporting Line at 1-800-913-1139. For other states, contact your state department of health for information.

Go to State Links to find information about reporting dead birds in your state.

2005 US Map of WNV Bird Cases

CDC (Centers for Disease Control) West Nile Virus Information

2005 US Map of West Nile Activity

Vermont WNV Information

Dead birds in an area do not necessarily mean West Nile Virus (WNV) is present. Although birds infected with West Nile virus can die or become ill, most infected birds do survive. Birds can become sick and die from many things including starvation, poisoning, collisions and disease. The clinical signs that birds show when they have West Nile can mimic the symptoms exhibited in head trauma, poisoning and bacterial infection.

The public plays an important role in monitoring West Nile Virus through reporting dead birds to state and local health departments. Over 110 species of birds are known to have been infected with West Nile virus. State and local agencies have different policies for collecting and testing birds. There is no evidence that a person can get the West Nile Virus from handling live or dead birds. However, wear gloves whenever handling any dead or sick animal, including birds.

VINS Department of Wildlife Services assists Vermont State entomologists each summer season by setting mosquito traps at the Raptor Center so mosquitos could be tested for West Nile. For the 2004 summer we will also be trapping mosquitoes at our new nature center in Quechee, VT. In addition to trapping mosquitoes, the VINS Avian Rehabilitation Deaprtment is collecting external parasites from wild birds that are admitted and assisting with calls and questions about dead bird that are found. VINS has also vaccinated all it's permanent resident exhibit and program birds.

To reduce your chances of contracting the virus, you can take precautions by reducing mosquito-breeding habitats around your home (clean out bird baths every 3 day; remove old tires, cans, buckets, tarps and other outdoor items that contains standing water) and by the appropriate use of insect repellents. Residents with horses should consider protecting their animals with a developed vaccine. Although there is a vaccine for horses, one has not been developed for people.

NATIONAL DATA SUMMARY*:

Year - dead birds with WNV - total human cases - total states:

1999 - 194 birds (0 in VT) - 62 human cases - 4 states
2000 - 4315 birds (1 in VT) - 21 human cases - 12 states
2001 - 7338 birds (no VT data) - 66 human cases - 27 states
2002 - 16739 birds (125 in VT) - 4156 human cases - 44 states
2003 - 11597 birds (116 in VT) - 9862 human cases - 45 states

*Information from VT Department of Public Health; total states with WNV activity include Washington DC