From Tom Gibbs, Zoonotic Disease Program, Washington
Department of Health--
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Our WNV dead bird surveillance program for 2003 has
been very successful.
Together we have collected, shipped, tested, and
reported on over 820 birds,
about triple the 2002 effort. We achieved statewide
coverage.

The onset of winter and dropping temperatures reduce
mosquito activity and
bring changes to our West Nile virus surveillance
efforts. We've received
requests for information as to when to stop collecting
dead birds for West
Nile virus surveillance. Consensus opinion is to stop
bird testing October
31.

Much of WNV surveillance is dependent on mosquito
activity. Our state has
multiple "microclimate" areas which could provide an
extended mosquito
season and we could see mosquito feeding activity after
October 31 in some
areas. If you are experiencing mosquito feeding and
receive a corvid or
raptor which as exhibited signs of neurological
distress, we can still
arrange for testing on a case-by-case basis. Call or
email me (contact
information below) to discuss the possibility of
testing those birds. We
plan to issue a news release in mid November, hoping to
reduce the number of
calls for testing but need to delay the public release
until results are in
on late season birds.


Based on other states experiences, it would not be
unusual to see demand for
1,200 or more birds tested next year. We are planning
on resuming dead bird
testing next spring. We will work out the details this
winter and be in
touch with you again. Also, please send me your
suggestions for
improvements; we want next year to be as smooth as
possible.

Thank you for your participation. We look forward to
working with you again
next year on this important and visible public health
project.

"The Department of Health works to protect and improve
the health of people
in Washington State."

To learn about West Nile virus, please click
www.doh.wa.gov/wnv
To reach Washington State Department of Health's
website, please click
www.doh.wa.gov

Tom Gibbs
Zoonotic Disease Program
Washington Department of Health
7171 Cleanwater Lane, Building 3
PO Box 47825
Olympia, WA 98504-7825
Phone (360) 236-3060
Fax (360) 236-2261
Email tom.gibbs at doh.wa.gov
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Ellen Blackstone Everything connects....
Seattle Washington absolutely everything.
ellenb at 123imagine.net --Hazel Wolf, 1898-2000