Health Department Seeks Birds for West Nile Testing

The Effingham County Health Department is again this year accepting dead birds to be tested for West Nile Virus.

Since dead birds are important sentinals for West Nile Virus activity, the Health Department will receive eligible dead birds until October 15 or until the five-bird quota is met.

Birds accepted are: crows, blue jays, grackle, starling, robin, cardinal, catbird, sparrow, finches, swallows, fly catchers, warblers and wrens. Small to medium size hawks and owls can also be submitted for testing.

An "eligible" bird should show no obvious cause of death such as gunshot or found on a roadway. Decomposed birds are also not acceptable and signs are a strong odor, eyes deflated or dried, maggots present or bloating. When a dead bird is found, double bag it in a plastic bag and then place it on a chill pack or bag of ice.

For more information, contact Cindy Deters at the Health Department at 217-342-1146.