In an effort to better identify the potential spread of West Nile Virus through out the state, the Illinois Department of Public Health is asking local health departments to submit for laboratory analysis birds which appear to have died due to natural causes.
For the 2008 surveillance season the State Health Department is allowing the following birds to be submitted for West Nile virus testing.
| All perching birds (passiforms) such as: |
| • crow |
• blue jay |
• grackle |
| • starling |
• robin |
• finches |
| • sparrows |
• cardinals |
• swallows |
| • flycatchers |
• cat birds |
• mockingbirds |
| • warblers |
• wrens |
|
| (No waterfowl, larger birds such as vultures, or endangered birds will be tested.) |
If a dead bird on the list is found between May 1st and October 15th and appears to have died of natural causes, you should report the "sighting" to the Knox County Health Department at 309-344-2224.
Remember, the State Health Department allows for only a limited number of birds per county to be tested, so not every bird reported can be tested.
