SCDPH asks residents to safely submit dead birds for testing to help track West Nile Virus
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South Carolina Department of Public Health
Photo: South Carolina Department of Public Health
RICHLAND COUNTY, S.C. (WOLO)– The South Carolina Department of Public Health (SCDPH) is asking residents to help track West Nile virus this Spring, Summer, and Fall.
Health officials are asking residents to safely submit certain species of dead birds for lab testing.
The Department of Public Health (DPH) said the dead bird surveillance program helps the state identify where and when there is an increase in West Nile virus (WNV) activity.
“By submitting dead birds, you help provide an early warning so that local government or local mosquito control providers can safeguard the health of residents. Timely mosquito control, preventing mosquito bites, and eliminating mosquito breeding is the best way to protect your community from illness,” said Dr. Chris Evans, DPH State Public Health Entomologist.
Mosquitoes can become infected with WNV when they feed on infected birds that carry the virus in their blood.
After one to two weeks, infected mosquitoes can transmit WNV to people and other animals.
DPH notifies local officials if there is indication of increased WNV activity within their community so they can take appropriate actions to reduce the risk of WNV infections in both people and animals.
“Most people infected with West Nile virus have no symptoms, and although the risk of serious illness is low, it is possible for potentially fatal inflammation of the brain to occur in infected people, a condition known as encephalitis. The primary way to get West Nile virus is from the bite of an infected mosquito, which is why mosquito bite prevention and control are so important in reducing human exposures,” said Dr. Linda Bell, DPH State Epidemiologist.
In 2024, 30 birds were tested from 12 counties, six of which tested positive for West Nile virus, according to a press release.
DPH asks residents to submit recently deceased crows, blue jays, house finches, house sparrows and other songbirds that appear not to have been injured and are not decayed.
Officials said these species of birds are more susceptible to WNV than other species, making them good candidates for testing.
Deceased birds can be reported or submitted to DPH at local public health departments on March 17 through November 30.
To safely collect a dead bird, residents should:
- Use gloves or pick up the bird with doubled, plastic bags. Do not touch a bird, dead or alive, with bare hands.
- Keep the bagged bird cool until it can be placed on ice or in a refrigerator. If you can’t deliver the bird carcass to DPH within 36 hours of collection, freeze it until you are able to deliver it or have it shipped.
- Download and complete a Dead Bird Submission and Reporting Sheet for West Nile Virus and take the sheet and dead bird to a local DPH Health office during normal business hours (8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Monday-Friday). See a list of available DPH offices for drop-off; WIC-only public health departments can’t accept birds.
For more information, including locating a local DPH office for submitting deceased birds, visit dph.sc.gov/birdtesting
Additional information about WNV and mosquito management tips are available at dph.sc.gov/mosquitoes.
