Subject: [Tweeters] WDFW establishes toll-free line for reporting dead wild
Date: Aug 23 11:34:38 2006
From: C. Anderson - christyrae at hotmail.com


Perhaps of interest . . .

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From: WDFW Public Affairs [mailto:do.not.reply at dfw.wa.gov]
Sent: Wednesday, August 23, 2006 10:07 AM
Subject: WDFW News Release: WDFW establishes toll-free line for reporting
dead wild birds



WDFW NEWS RELEASE
Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife
600 Capitol Way North, Olympia, WA 98501-1091
http://wdfw.wa.gov/

Aug. 23, 2006
Contact: Kristin Mansfield, (509) 892-1001, ext. 326
or cell (509) 998-2023


WDFW establishes toll-free line
for reporting dead wild birds

OLYMPIA-People who see dead wild birds can report their observations on a
new, toll-free telephone line established by the Washington Department of
Fish and Wildlife (WDFW).

Most dead bird reports can be submitted by calling WDFW's toll-free line at
1-800-606-8768. The exceptions are dead crows, ravens, magpies and jays,
which should be reported to local city or county health departments that are
tracking those species for potential West Nile virus cases.

Callers to the WDFW reporting line will be asked to leave their name,
telephone number, the date and time of the call, the number of dead birds
they are reporting, the specific location of the birds and-if known-the
species of bird and approximately how long the birds have been dead.

The new reporting line is part of WDFW's surveillance effort for avian
influenza.

"Since avian influenza has been found elsewhere in waterfowl and shorebird
species, those are the birds we will follow most closely," said Dr. Kristin
Mansfield, WDFW veterinarian. "On the other hand, a bird that died because
it flew into a window or was hit by a car would not warrant disease
testing."

Reports will be reviewed by WDFW wildlife experts, who will respond as
needed. The bird species and the apparent circumstances of its death will
determine whether a dead bird is tested for avian influenza, said Mansfield.
Recently deceased shorebirds and waterfowl, such as ducks, geese and swans,
are the birds most likely to be tested.

While wild bird die-offs occur naturally each year, the Department plans to
investigate large or unusual events, Mansfield said.

Wild birds are known to carry various strains of avian influenza, often
without serious health effects. However, one strain, known as Highly
Pathogenic Avian Influenza H5N1 (HPAI H5N1), has sickened and killed birds
in Asia and parts of Europe. Approximately 200 people also have contracted
the disease after close contact with infected birds. The HPAI H5N1 strain
has not been found in North American wild birds, although surveillance
testing for the virus is under way nationwide.

Meanwhile, as a standard safety precaution for protection from various
diseases carried by wildlife, people should not handle dead wild birds with
bare hands or transport them. Those who choose to bury or dispose of dead
birds that are not needed for disease testing are advised to wear rubber
gloves or use a long-handled shovel, and to clean hands and tools with soap
and water or alcohol wipes afterward.

"Just as people routinely carry certain viruses such as the common cold,
wild animals routinely carry various diseases-it's simply common-sense to
avoid touching wild animals with bare hands and to wash hands and tools
after handling," Mansfield said.


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