West Nile Virus
The following information concerns West Nile Virus (WNV) and advice on ways to reduce your risk of being infected with WNV.
Dead Birds
- The focus of the Cattaraugus County Health Department’s (CCHD) bird surveillance program will be reporting the sightings of dead birds to the New York State Health Department.
- Dead bird specimens will no longer be submitted for analysis to determine the presence of West Nile Virus.
- If you need to dispose of a dead bird, treat it like any other dead animal and do not touch it with your bare hands. It may be placed in household garbage or buried.
- You may still report the sighting of a dead bird by calling any of the following CCHD offices;
- Olean 716-373-8050
- Little Valley 716-938-9111
- Machias 716-353-8525
Ways to reduce your risk of being infected with WNV:
- Minimize your outdoor activities during dawn and dusk hours when mosquitoes are most active.
- Wear shoes and socks, long pants and long-sleeved shirt when outdoors for long periods of time, or when mosquitoes are more active
- Reduce the possible breeding pools in your yard by eliminating any stagnant water (i.e., birdbaths, pool covers, and roof gutters).
- Consider the use of mosquito repellent according to the manufacturers' directions.
