| 555 MOSQUITO LANE Telephone (541) 826-2199 |
CENTRAL POINT, (541) 779-6460 |
OREGON 97502 Fax (541) 826-8553 |
Jackson County 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). In 2005, over 800 reports were received concerning dead birds and 41 birds were tested in the District's Lab using the Ramp testing system. of those tested, 10 birds ( 1 Crow and 9 Jays) tested positive for West Nile Virus. In 2007 very few dead bird reports were received with only 14 birds being tested for wnv. Six birds tested positive. Jackson County Vector Control District personnel working with advice from the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife, will arrange to collect dead bird from locations within the District and test them if WNV is suspected. The district is collecting and testing corvids by zip code in Jackson County. When a positive bird for WNV is found in a particular zip code, no other birds will be collected from that zip. This will allow the district to switch it's focus to the collection and testing of adult mosquitoes in that area.
This year (2008) all testing of local dead birds and mosquitoes will be done in the District's Lab with the WNV RAMP System (Rapid Analyte Measurement Platform).
Corvids are found throughout most of Oregon. They include the American Crow, Raven, Western Scrub Jay, and the Stellars Jay. The bird most commonly found to be positive in our area has been the Western Scrub Jay.
If you find a dead bird, particularly a Scrub Jay or other corvid (e.g. crow, raven, jay), please call the number above promptly. Do not touch the bird. District personnel will record all dead bird reports and will arrange for pickup and laboratory testing for WNV when appropriate.