Maine CDC is no longer requesting citizens to report dead bird sightings and will not be routinely testing dead birds for West Nile Virus Infection this year.

From 2000-2006, Maine CDC tracked citizen-reported bird deaths - especially those of crows and bluejays - and tested selected specimens for mosquito-transmitted infections. Although the information from this testing program helped to confirm that WNV infection was well-established in Maine, bird testing and tracking programs here and elsewhere in the U.S., have not been proven useful in providing information that can be used to prevent human illnesses caused by WNV or with Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE).

Therefore, with limited resources that can be used for surveillance and disease control, Maine is one of a number of states nationwide that has discontinued bird tracking and testing programs, and shifted attention to trapping and testing of mosquitoes, and to helping municipalities develop their own mosquito surveillance and control programs.

Maine CDC will continue to report the results of mosquito testing, testing of horses that have signs of encephalitis, and tests for human infection with WNV, EEE, and related viruses.

If you do find bird carcasses, they should be disposed of properly:

How To Handle A Dead Bird

Please dispose of the dead bird as instructed below:

• DO NOT handle the dead bird with your bare hands. You should either wear latex gloves or use a shovel that can be bleached or thrown away after discarding the bird;
• Place the dead bird in double plastic bags.
• Contact your local town official to see if disposing of the bird in your garbage is permissible. If this is a possibility, place the previously bagged bird in an outside garbage container.
• Bury the bird in a hole that is at least 18 inches deep;
• Thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the bird

• If you have concerns about sick or dying farm birds, please contact the Maine Department of Agriculture at 287-3871.
• Information on mosquito surveillance
• Mosquito Surveillance Questions and Answers
• For more information on human diagnostic testing for WNV and EEE infections