Kokua Line
Kokua Line
Follow through if you find
a dead birdQuestion: I recently found a finch in my yard. It was still alive, so I went to get a cage, but by the time I came back, it was dead and there was yellow ooze coming out of its mouth. I called the Health Department and asked if they were interested in the bird because of the West Nile virus.
They said they were, but they did not have any place to keep it and to call the Humane Society. So I called the Humane Society, which said it would store the bird, but that someone had to bring it in.
I live on the North Shore and cannot drive to town. I saw all the reports about the Health Department wanting to examine dead birds. So when I call, no one is interested enough to get the bird. I have the bird in a plastic bag. Should I just put it in the trash bin if no one really cares?
Answer: Unfortunately, if you find the dead bird, you're asked to follow through and take it to specific facilities in the different counties.
On Oahu, that would be the Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) at 2700 Waialae Ave.
The state Department of Health announced the collection of dead birds last month as a way to monitor and control the spread of the virus to Hawaii. The virus is spread by mosquitoes, people, horses, and many types of birds, and some other animals may be infected, according to health officials.
Authorities are interested in dead birds because it may mean the virus is circulating between birds and mosquitos in a certain area.
So far, no cases of the virus have been reported in Hawaii. Health officials emphasize that human illness from the West Nile virus is rare and that there is no evidence the virus can be spread from person to person or from animal to person.
The Humane Society has volunteered to assist in the monitoring effort by collecting and freezing dead birds for testing by the Health Department, explained Linda Haller, society director of operations.
If you are not able to bring the dead bird in, she recommended calling the Health Department at 586-4400 to discuss what you found and where. Officials may determine that the bird can be disposed of via regular trash pickup, she said.
Health officials are interested in collecting six types of birds which they consider to be high-risk carriers of the virus: sparrows, finches, cardinals, mynahs, bulbuls and birds of prey (owls and hawks).
Among the guidelines for collecting birds is that the carcass must be intact and less than 48 hours old.
You are advised to use rubber gloves or plastic bags when picking up the bird. Next, place it in a bag, tie it shut, then place it inside a second bag and tie that shut.
The bags should then be placed in a cooler containing ice.
If you cannot immediately drop the bird off, you should store it in a cool place in your garage, away from children, pets and food-storage areas.
More specific information about filling out forms can be obtained at the Health Department's Web site -- www.state.hi.us/doh/wnv -- or by calling 586-4400.
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