[sorry, LONG post. VA-birders, please delete now if not interested.]
Regarding West Nile virus, in my view it is less likely to be the cause of
the bird's death because mosquitoes are not active now. In any event it
should not be transmittable to humans from a dead bird. However, it is
probably wisest to assume that WNV could be involved and to handle the bird
with gloves (see below).
I've been told that the authorities generally are not testing in areas where
the virus is already known to be present -- and that means all of Virginia.
However, the VA website at:
http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/reptdeadbirds.htm
says:
"Reporting Dead Birds The public can help state officials monitor for West
Nile virus and other mosquito-borne viruses by reporting all dead birds to
their local health department. (For a list of local health departments click
onto <A
HREF="http://www.vdh.state.va.us/lhd/02.htm";>www.vdh.state.va.us/lhd/02.htm</A>)Your
local health department will decide
whether to have the bird submitted for laboratory testing. Only selected <A
HREF="http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/crow.htm";>
crows</A>, <A HREF="http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/blue_jay.htm";>blue jays</A>
and <A HREF="http://www.vdh.state.va.us/epi/hawk.htm";>raptors</A> (i.e. hawks,
falcons or owls) will be tested for
mosquito-borne viruses, because they are the best early signs of virus
activity in an area. Reporting all dead birds is important. The state will be
compiling data on sightings throughout Virginia to see if the numbers have
any association with future positive findings.Reporting dead birds
immediately is essential, since testing must be conducted only on birds that
have died within the past 24 hours. Sunken eyes and the presence of fly
larvae (maggots) are good indicators that the bird has been dead too long.The
health department may advise you to collect and preserve the bird. Do not
handle dead birds with your bare hands. Wear gloves or use a plastic bag
turned inside out to pick up the bird. Place the bird in a plastic bag and
tie the bag shut. Then place the bird in a second bag and tie the second bag
shut. Place the double-bagged bird in a sturdy, waterproof container with
freezer-packs."
Regarding the bird band, if you or your contact have web access, see:
http://www.pwrc.nbs.gov/bbl/homepage/call800.htm
Excerpt of its text:
"How to Report a Federal Bird Band in North America
If you are not sure of what kind of band you have found, <A
HREF="http://www.pwrc.nbs.gov/bbl/homepage/btypes.htm";>Click Here</A>.You can
submit an electronic report. <A
HREF="http://www.pwrc.nbs.gov/bbl/homepage/mailrecv.htm";>Click here</A> to
electronically report a metal
band with or without a color marker.If you cannot submit your report via this
website, you may call toll-free to 1-800-327-BAND (2263) from anywhere in
Canada, the United States and most parts of the Caribbean. The operator will
need to know the band number, how, when and where the bird or band was found.
Please do not use this number to call us about other matters."
I hope this helps and maybe is informative for some other readers. Cheers,
Steve
In a message dated 2/2/03 3:23:22 PM Eastern Standard Time, teeps@xxxxxxxxxx
writes:
Subj:[va-bird] Dead bluebird
Date:2/2/03 3:23:22 PM Eastern Standard Time
From:<A HREF="mailto:teeps@xxxxxxxxxx";>teeps@xxxxxxxxxx</A>
To:<A HREF="mailto:va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx";>va-bird@xxxxxxxxxxxxx</A>
Sent from the Internet
Hope this is not off topic. Don't want to incur the wrath of Larry.
A lady living near Heathsville, here on the Northern Neck, called to report
a dead bluebird with a band. The bird was inside a bluebird house. No
clues from the band; the people were concerned about West Nile virus and
handled as little as possible. The bird is now bagged and in their
freezer.
Questions: Is the state still testing for WNV? If so, who is the contact?
How best to recover and share the band info?
If this is too off-topic, reply offline. However, others may be interested
in the answers. Thanks.....Tom
Tom Teeples
116 Creeks End Lane
Kilmarnock, VA 22482
Voice: 804-435-0636
FAX: 804-435-8714
e-mail: teeps@xxxxxxxxxx
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