Dead birds are no longer required as an early indicator of West Nile Virus in Ontario. West Nile Virus was first detected in Canada in 2001. Bird surveillance was used as an early indicator of the presence of the virus. Thanks to the public submitting dead birds for testing over the last several years, the information collected has confirmed when and where the virus will most likely appear.

Ontario will continue to use other indicators, such as mosquito surveillance, to determine the human health risk of West Nile Virus in the province.

The Huron County Health Unit appreciates the public’s assistance over those early years in submitting dead birds for testing.

While we will no longer be collecting data on, or submitting dead birds or animals for WNV testing, the province is continuing to conduct some testing on these specimens for avian influenza If you’d like to know if a specimen is suitable for this testing, contact The Canadian Cooperative Wildlife Centre (CCWHC) at 1-866-673-4781.

Otherwise the bird or animal should be handled and disposed of in a proper manner.

Handling Dead Birds

West Nile Virus cannot spread directly from birds to humans. However, dead birds should not be handled with bare hands. The following precautions are recommended:

• Always protect your hands - wear heavy leak-proof rubber gloves or use several layers of leak-proof plastic bags.
• Make sure that you and your clothing do not come into contact the bird or its blood, secretions or feces.
• Grasp the bird with your hand protected by several layers of leak-proof plastic bags. Turn the bags inside-out over the bird so that the bird ends up inside the bags.
• Handle the birds so that neither the beak nor claws puncture the bag or gloves.
• Thoroughly wash your hands afterwards using soap and water, or use a hand sanitizer.

How to Dispose of Dead Birds

The two most common methods of disposing of dead birds are:

• Bury the carcass in your backyard (or another safe area where is will not be disturbed) at least two feet deep. Do not use a vegetable garden area .
• Double bag the bird in sealed plastic bags and place it in the garbage for pickup.