UPDATE: LA County Veterinary Public Health ceased testing dead birds for West Nile Virus in 2020, but other agencies continue to test them. Learn more about reporting dead birds for WNV testing here.   

A total of 304 dead birds and three dead tree squirrels have tested positive for West Nile Virus (WNV) in our county so far this year. 

The state's dead bird and squirrel WNV testing program ceased operations in late August 2013. A smaller amount of testing became available just for crows in some jurisdictions. Therefore, the amount of data available on WNV in these animal decreased dramatically in August.

Read about latest human WNV statistics for our county.

Mosquitoes transmit WNV not only to humans, but also to horses, birds, and tree squirrels. Testing deceased wild birds and tree squirrels in our county is one way to track the virus in our communities. Our program works with the California Department of Public Health and local mosquito control districts to perform this work.

Mosquito control districts also track the virus by testing mosquitoes. The California Department of Agriculture tests sick horses for the virus.

Cases of WNV infection in birds and people tend to be highest in the late summer, but may be happen at other times.

You can do a LOT to protect yourself and your community from mosquitoes!  Check your property at least weekly for any standing water (where mosquitoes may breed), and take precautions to avoid mosquito bites. Standing water can appear in many places. Read more here.

As always, many thanks to Los Angeles County residents, Animal Control Agencies, wildlife rehabilitators, and Vector Control Agencies for all of your work on WNV surveillance!

To learn about WNV in animals, click here. 

To learn about WNV in humans, click here.

How do I report a dead bird?strong>