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REPORTING OF DEAD BIRDS

The Board of Health will commence with the collection of dead birds for the 2008 season on June 2nd. Only intact crows and blue jays will be collected.

Reports of dead birds are considered a useful indicator of where to focus West Nile Virus (WNV) mosquito surveillance and bird testing efforts.

Do not handle any dead birds with your bare hands.

If you encounter an intact bird (crow or blue jay) that has been dead for less than 24 hours and is free of maggots, flies and ants please contact the Massachusetts Department of Public Health (MDPH) – Public Health Information Line at 866-MASS-WNV (866-627-7968) and press option “1”.

You will be asked to provide the following information:

If the MDPH determines that the bird is considered satisfactory for testing for WNV, they will issue a Tracking ID# that you must write down. MDPH will direct you to contact Gerry Mills, the Burlington Animal Control Officer, at 781-270-1698 for pick-up of the bird.   Do not call the Animal Control Officer unless you have contacted MDPH and been issued a Tracking ID#.

If MDPH determines that the bird is unsatisfactory for testing or has already tested sufficient samples from Burlington, then properly dispose of the dead bird as follows. Do not touch the dead bird with bare hands. Place the bird in a sealed plastic bag and place this bag in a second sealed plastic bag. The plastic bags containing the dead bird can be placed in the exterior household trash. Wash hands with soap and water after disposal.

Board of Health contact:

781-270-1955

Nurses contact:

781-270-1957

Hours:
Monday-Friday
8:30AM-4:30PM

BOH Home Page