The Effingham County Health Department is now accepting dead birds for testing of the West Nile virus. Dead birds are considered to be important in indicating the presence of the West Nile virus.
The health department is accepting the following birds for testing:
- crows
- blue jays
- grackles
- starlings
- robins
- cardinals
- catbirds
- sparrows
- swallows
- wrens
- warblers
- fly catchers
- finches
- small to medium owls
- small to medium hawks
The birds being collected must be dead for less than 48 hours, double bagged in a plastic bags and refrigerated or placed on a chill pack as soon as possible, and undamaged/ no decomposition. A decomposing bird will have a strong odor, maggots present, bloating, and its eyes will be deflated or dry. Decomposing birds should be double bagged and discarded. Birds should also show no obvious cause of death such as gunshot or found on roadways. Birds are being accepted until October 15th or until their five bird quota is met.
To report a possible dead bird for collection, contact the Effingham County Health Department at 217-342-1146.