Public Health -- Seattle & King County is doing a great deal to prepare for a potential outbreak of West Nile virus in King County. This fact sheet describes Public Health's surveillance program and how you can get involved.

Public Health relies on reports of dead birds from the public to monitor for the presence of West Nile virus and other avian diseases. A selection of dead birds that are reported, including crows, ravens, and jays are collected for West Nile virus testing during the summer months. Not all birds need to be tested for Public Health to effectively monitor for West Nile virus. In fact, we receive many more calls reporting dead crows and other birds than the laboratory can test. Public Health tracks and maps all bird deaths to look for indications of disease, so even if the bird you find will not be tested, we are still interested in the information you provide.

You can help!

Call Public Health at 206-205-4394 or fill out our online dead bird report form if you find a dead bird in King County. The dead bird reporting system is also being used to monitor the bird populations for avian influenza so we encourage people to report any kind of dead bird found in King County. If the bird you find is not appropriate for testing, use gloves or a shovel to double bag the bird in plastic bags and dispose of it in your household garbage. Though dead birds will not transmit West Nile virus, you should not pick up a dead animal with your bare hands. Birds discovered on Friday and Saturday will not be tested and should be disposed of in the garbage.

The University of Washington is monitoring crows. If you find a crow with a colored band on its leg, please mention this when you call Public Health to report the dead crow. Learn more from the U.W.'s Urban Ecology website.

Mosquitoes are the carriers for West Nile virus, which means that the virus depends on mosquitoes to spread the virus from one host bird to another. Not all mosquitoes are West Nile virus carriers. While there are greater than 50 species of mosquitoes in Washington State, only Culex pipiens and Culex tarsalis mosquitoes have a high likelihood of transmitting WNV to people.

In cooperation with the State Department of Health and Seattle Public Utilities, Public Health collects a sampling of adult and larval mosquitoes throughout the county. Mosquito surveillance allows us to determine where mosquitoes that may carry WNV are present in the county and where to focus our mosquito control efforts.

You can help!

Public Health is also tracking areas in King County that seem to have a mosquito problem. If there is a mosquito problem in your neighborhood, call Public Health at 206-205-4394 to report it. Although we do not have the regulatory authority to require private property owners to get rid of mosquito breeding habitat on their property, we can offer advice and information. Staff will answer your calls Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

More information on mosquito control.

Public Health is also working with physicians and veterinarians to monitor for WNV illness in King County.

Physicians can learn more about reporting human illness online.

Veterinarians with a suspected case of WNV in an animal can call the Public Health veterinarian at: 206-263-8454.