Find a dead bird? Leave it for the experts.

That’s the advice of the Indiana Department of Natural Resources (DNR), in response to Hoosiers’ concerns about avian influenza and West Nile virus.

According to a statement released on Tuesday by the DNR, “Birds die for many reasons. Natural death is frequent among birds. Many birds have a naturally short life span, must compete with other species, or succumb to severe weather, or predators. Accidental death is also common amongst the wild bird population; impacts with power lines, vehicle collisions, aircraft strikes, and impacts with windows or buildings can all be fatal to a bird.”

Moreover, the DNR said, toxicants can also be harmful or fatal to birds, while disease in wild bird populations may contribute to death. Most wild bird diseases present no threat to human health, but two are of interest.

“Within the past few years West Nile virus has become a common term in Indiana and the Midwest,” the DNR said. “Wild bids serve as an amplifying host for West Nile virus. Mosquitoes become infected by feeding on infected birds and then biting humans. . . . Blue jays, robins, cardinals, and raptors (falcons, hawks, and owls) are highly sensitive to the virus and therefore are the best indicators of virus activity in a community. These are the only species of birds that the Indiana State Department of Health laboratory is testing for the virus. If one of these birds is found dead during mosquito season (May through October) contact the local health department. Local health officials will determined if the bird should be picked up for testing.”

In recent months, too, the DNR said, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been an issue. Avian flu is most often found in water birds, such waterfowl like geese, ducks, and swans, and shorebirds like sandpipers.

The DNR has joined with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Wildlife Services in a partnership to initiative a proactive wild waterfowl surveillance program. This will establish an early warning system for any evidence of HPAI in migratory waterfowl. Wildlife biologists from DNR and Wildlife Services will be handling all sampling and monitoring activities for HPAI in Indiana, the statement said.

If dead migratory geese, ducks, swans, or shorebirds are found, do not pick up the bird for testing, the DNR said. Contact the Wildlife Conflicts Information Hotline at (800) 893-4116 to report the location and number of dead waterfowl. DNR and Wildlife Services professionals will determine if testing is necessary.

“If it is not necessary for the bird to be tested, the bird should be disposed of properly,” the DNR said. “Dead wild birds should not be handled with bare hands. To dispose of a dead bird, use gloves or a plastic bag turned inside out over the hand to pick up the bird, double bag it, and either bury it or dispose of it in the trash.”

For more information regarding West Nile virus or avian influenza, email the Indiana State Board of Animal Health at animalhealth@boah.in.gov. More information on avian influenza can be found at www.FluInfo.in.gov.

Posted 6/29/2006