|  The West Umatilla Vector Control
District has stepped up its surveillance of mosquito-borne
encephalitis to include testing dead birds. Local residents
are in a unique position to assist in this effort. We want
to encourage your participation. We are seeking appropriate
specimens of dead birds for mosquito-borne virus testing.
The
West Umatilla Vector Control District began to collect dead
crows and related birds for West Nile Virus (WNV) in 2002.
The samples were collected and packaged, the exact location
information noted, and sent to the Oregon Public Health Laboratory
in Portland, Oregon where they are tested for the presence
of WNV. This program is partly funded by a grant to the Oregon
Health Division by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The District has tested a total of 32 birds.
All were negative. Although the virus has
not yet been reported in Oregon, monitoring
dead crows and other corvids will help identify
the virus if it enters the State. State agencies,
private organizations, and individuals participate
in the surveillance program by reporting dead
bird sightings.
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