Island County asks residents to stop sending dead birds for testing this winter

Island County health officials asked residents to stop bringing dead birds to county offices and to refrain from calling for testing during the winter months, following a statewide suspension of bird surveillance by the Washington State Department of Health. The county made the request on December 23 after receiving more than 100 information calls and accepting several carcasses for testing amid heightened concern about West Nile virus detections in nearby areas.

Environmental health staff in Island County submitted four birds for testing during the recent surge in inquiries. Those specimens included three crows and a Stellar’s jay. Test results for those birds were negative. County officials said the state decision to suspend bird surveillance reflects colder weather and a sharp decline in mosquito breeding activity, which reduces the near term usefulness of testing dead birds as a surveillance tool.

The pause in testing means county staff will not routinely accept dead bird reports or specimens until the Department of Health reactivates its program in warmer months. Officials told residents they should not send birds this winter unless guidance changes. The county will restart its reporting and specimen intake when state surveillance resumes.

For Island County residents the suspension narrows one avenue of monitoring for West Nile virus for the season, but officials emphasized that lower mosquito activity in winter reduces immediate risk. The recent negative test results offer some reassurance locally, though detections in nearby counties prompted the earlier wave of calls and specimen submissions. Limiting winter submissions will allow environmental health staff to focus resources where they are most effective and to prepare for renewed surveillance next year.

County officials plan to follow state guidance as conditions change. Residents seeking current information on surveillance status should monitor updates from Island County public health channels for instructions on reporting and safe handling of wildlife in the months ahead.