West Nile Virus Surveillance Program and IDFG
Mark Drew, Fish & Game DVM
The Idaho Department of Fish and Game will continue to cooperate on a surveillance program for West Nile virus with Idaho Department of Agriculture and the Idaho Department of Health and Welfare as has been done in the past. The disease has spread across the United States with all the lower 48 states reporting West Nile virus activity in 2004 and 2005. The virus was first reported in Idaho in 2003 on an alligator farm in the Hagerman area.
West Nile virus is a bird virus. Birds in the corvid family (crows, ravens, magpies, jays and nutcrackers) and some raptors (hawks, eagles, owls, falcons) appear to be the most susceptible avian species. Crows appear to die from the virus within three to seven days after exposure. Great horned owls and red-tailed hawks appear to die after exposure as well. In addition, more than 280 species of birds, both native and exotic, have been diagnosed with West Nile virus. Horses and humans are accidental hosts and large numbers of both horses and humans have become ill with West Nile virus. Deaths of horses and humans from West Nile virus also have occurred.
Surveillance
The surveillance effort to be conducted by Fish and Game uses corvids (crows, ravens and magpies) and raptors as the primary species of interest. The public is encouraged to report these species of dead birds and possibly submit them for testing to Fish and Game.
Reporting Dead Birds
The public can report and submit dead corvids and raptors to Fish and Game regional offices. People reporting the dead bird will need to know the type of bird it is and when and where it was found. If the bird has been dead for less than 48-hours, it may be tested for the virus.
Submitting Dead Birds
Birds submitted for West Nile virus testing must be collected when they are freshly dead (less than 48 hours). The person should pick it up using latex or rubber gloved or a plastic bag without touching the bird. Birds should be placed into a plastic bag and then double bagged. Birds can be submitted fresh, refrigerated, or frozen to Fish and Game. Gloves should be discarded in the trash after use.
If the birds are not going to be submitted for testing, they should be picked up using latex or rubber gloves or a plastic bag (without touching the birds) and placed in a second plastic bag and disposed of in the trash.
West Nile Virus Home