State officials are asking the public to pick up dead birds in its West Nile virus prevention efforts. State asks public to help
How to handle birds
prevent West Nile virusBy Genevieve A. Suzuki
gsuzuki@starbulletin.comPeople should drop off the dead birds at designated areas, such as the Hawaiian Humane Society on Oahu, from which they will be transported to the U.S. Geological Survey to be tested for the disease.
So far, there are no reported cases of the West Nile virus in Hawaii, said state Health Director Bruce Anderson.
But because migratory and wild birds are likely to be carriers of the disease, the surveillance program is important. The virus is spread by mosquitoes that bite infected birds and transmit it to humans.
"We must be very proactive in preventing the importation of the virus," Anderson said.There have been more than 2,000 cases of the West Nile virus among humans in the United States and 104 resulting deaths, said Paul Effler, Department of Health epidemiologist.
The West Nile virus can cause a poliolike paralysis, Effler said. Flulike symptoms have occurred in 20 percent of infected people, and less than 1 percent can develop an inflammation of the brain.
Five agencies -- the state Health Department, Agriculture Department, Land & Natural Resources Department, the U.S. Geological Survey and the University of Hawaii -- have joined forces to fight any potential spread of the West Nile virus.
Controlling mosquito populations is key to disease prevention, said Anderson. "Now that we've got dengue under control, there's been a lot of complacency," Anderson said.
"It's prudent to get our surveillance system up and running well before we need it," Effler said.
Humans and horses with the West Nile virus cannot pass on the disease, but among wild birds it is highly contagious. Potential carriers are sparrows, finches, cardinals, mynahs, bulbuls and birds of prey, such as hawks and owls.
Anyone who finds a wild bird that has been dead less than 48 hours should use a plastic bag to collect the bird, similar to the way dog owners clean up their pets' feces, said Thierry Work, a wildlife disease specialist with the USGS.
The bird should be left alone if it seems to have been dead for longer than 48 hours, Work said. That is because it would be unhealthy to touch such a bird, officials said.
Signs that a bird has been dead for a while are if it emits an odor, if its feathers rub off easily and if maggots have gotten to it, according to Work.
People who submit dead birds that do not have West Nile virus will not be called back, said Anderson. If a bird tests positive, everyone will be promptly notified.
Hawaii's isolation helps protect it against migratory birds carrying the disease, Anderson said. Also in Hawaii's favor is that 99 percent of its migratory birds come from Alaska, which is free of the West Nile virus.
The West Nile virus has been identified in 42 states.
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Use plastic bag
to handle birdsWild birds, such as mynahs, sparrows, finches, cardinals, Hawaiian hawks, Hawaiian owls and bulbuls, are potential carriers of the West Nile virus. Anyone who finds a dead wild bird and wants to turn it in for testing should follow these steps:
>> Use a plastic bag to safely handle and collect the bird. Do not use your bare hands to touch the bird.
>> After wrapping the bird up in the plastic bag, "double-bag" it by putting it in a zipper-type bag, in case the first plastic bag has holes.
>> Write on the bag the date and location at which you found the bird.
>> Drop it off at: Oahu, the Hawaiian Humane Society, 2700 Waialae Ave.; Kauai, Humane Society Kauai, 3-825 Kaumualii Highway., Lihue; Big Island, the Department of Land & Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, 19 East Kawili St. in Hilo and 66-1220 Lalamilo Road in Kamuela; Maui, 54 S. High St., Kahului.
>> If you cannot immediately drop the bird off, store it in a cool place in your garage, away from children, pets and food storage areas.
For more information, go to www.state.hi.us/doh/wnv or call 586-4400.
Source: State Health Department
State Health Department
