What kind of bird is it?
Did lots of birds die at one time?
How long has the bird been dead?
How do you report the dead bird?
What happens after I report the dead bird?
How do I dispose of the dead bird?

A. What kind of bird is it?

Only some kinds of birds are appropriate for testing. These birds are ravens, crows, jays, owls, hawks, falcons, and eagles. You can also check out this link for help in identifying birds: http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv/birdform.php. If you see a dead bird that is not one of the above types, carefully throw the bird in the trash*.

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B. Did lots of birds die at one time?

West Nile doesn’t kill many birds at the same time. If you see many dead birds in your backyard, they were probably poisoned. You visit the Division of Wildlife Resources for further information http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv/

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C. How long has the bird been dead?

We can only test freshly-dead birds for WNV. Make sure that the feathers are shiny, and that there are no maggots or other signs of rot. If the bird isn’t freshly-dead, then carefully throw the bird in the trash*.

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D. How do you report the dead bird?

The easiest way is through on-line reporting at http://www.wildlife.utah.gov/wnv/birdform.php

Otherwise, call the:
Summit County Mosquito Abatement District
435-336-2088

Summit County Health Department
435-615-3951

or UDOH Office of Epidemiology (801.538.6191).

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E. What happens after I report the dead bird?

Collect the dead bird*, but do not place it in the garbage can. Instead, place it in a cool, shady area. If possible, someone will come within 24 hours and test the bird for West Nile virus. If no one comes within 24 hours, discard the bird in an OUTSIDE garbage container.

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*How do I dispose of the dead bird?

• Avoid touching the dead bird with your bare hands.
• Use rubber gloves or put a double plastic bag over your hand.
• Invert the bag over your hand, grab the bird, wrap it up, and tie off or seal the bag.
• Throw the double bag and dead bird into an OUTSIDE garbage container.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
• You cannot get West Nile virus from the dead bird.

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For routine cleaning: Clean feeders once a week using a bleach solution - use one part bleach to nine parts water. Rinse feeder thoroughly with water after cleaning and allow it to dry completely before refilling it with fresh seed. Remove waste grains from below feeders.

If you have had birds die near your feeder:

Use a stronger bleach solution to clean your feeder - one part bleach to three parts water. Rinse feeder thoroughly with water after cleaning and allow it to dry completely before refilling it with fresh seed. Also, remove waste grains from below feeders and empty water for 7-10 days after an incident where birds have died near your feeder.

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Katie Mullaly
Public Information Officer
Summit County Health Department
6505 N. Landmark Drive
Park City, Utah
Phone: 435-615-3951
Fax: 435-615-3926
kmullaly@lhd.utah.gov

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