You can help Public Health watch for West Nile virus by reporting dead birds found in King County using the web-based form below. You can also report by calling Public Health at 206-205-4394, Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm.

If you have found a fresh and undamaged crow, jay, or raven, please keep it for possible West Nile virus testing. The bird should be put into 2 plastic bags and kept in a cool place. We will call and/or email you within 24 hours if your bird is needed for testing. If you are not contacted within 24 hours, please dispose of the bird in your household garbage.

Only some crows, jays, and ravens will be selected for West Nile virus testing. Other types of birds (waterfowl, shore birds, domestic poultry) may be collected for avian flu testing.

Birds found in other counties should be reported to the appropriate local health department.

As with any dead animal, do not handle dead birds with your bare hands. Instead, use gloves, a shovel or an inside-out plastic bag placed over your hand to pick up the bird. Double-wrap the bird in two plastic bags. If a bird is not needed for West Nile virus testing (see above), it should be disposed of in your household garbage. Wash your hands afterwards.

All bird death reports are important to us even if the bird is not needed for West Nile virus or avian flu testing. Locations of bird deaths are mapped and the information is used to detect areas of King County that may be experiencing West Nile virus activity. These are areas that are targeted for increased West Nile virus surveillance and prevention efforts.

• Maps of dead bird reports in King County

Public Health also uses West Nile virus dead bird reports to watch for avian influenza (bird flu) as well as West Nile virus. Some dead birds reported through the West Nile virus reporting system may be collected for avian flu testing. For avian flu, the birds of greatest concern are waterfowl (ducks, geese, swans), shore birds (seagulls, terns), and domestic poultry (chickens, turkeys). Public Health shares information about these types of birds with the WA Dept. of Fish & Wildlife (for waterfowl and shorebirds) and the WA Dept. of Agriculture (for poultry).

If you are concerned about avian flu and have found sick or dead shorebirds or waterfowl you may call the Dept. of Fish & Wildlife dead bird hotline at 1-800-606-8768.

For information about avian flu in domestic poultry and to report sick or dead chickens, domestic ducks or geese or other owned birds, please call the Dept. of Agriculture Animal Health Program hotline at 1-800-606-6056.

Note: Only some birds will be selected for laboratory testing. We will call and/or email you within 24 hours of your report if your bird is needed for testing. If you are not contacted within 24 hours, please dispose of the bird in your household garbage (if found on your private property.)