The Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department will be working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services West Nile Virus Surveillance Program this summer to conduct surveillance for West Nile virus. West Nile is transmitted when a mosquito feeds on an infected bird and then feeds on a human.
The goal of the program is to collect dead birds for submission to a lab for testing. Finding the virus in birds gives an indicator to public health officials of the level of the virus in the area and the risk of humans getting the disease.
This year the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services West Nile Virus Surveillance Program will collect and test only corvid species of birds found in Burt, Cuming, Stanton and Madison counties starting June 1, 2017 and ending July 31, 2017. Corvid species include crows, bluejays, and magpies. If you find a dead bird, and it is in good condition and has been dead less than 24 hours, please double bag the bird in plastic, freeze it, and immediately call Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department. Testing will only be done on birds that have been dead within 24 hours and are in good condition with no signs of maggots or rotting. Other species of birds or birds that are not in good condition may still be reported, but may not be picked up for testing. Information that must be included with any reported or submitted bird includes the species of the bird, date, and place the bird was found, as well as the name, address and phone number of the person reporting the bird. Instructions will be given on what to do with the bird until an arrangement can be made for the bird to be collected. Call the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department with any questions or for more information at 402-529-2233.