Crows are good sentinels for detecting the presence of WNV activity in a general geographic area because of their susceptibility to the virus. Once again, we are requesting the assistance of local health officers, animal control officers, local police, and wildlife management professionals in the reporting of crow morbidity and mortality incidents in New Jersey for the 2001 season. We have prepared the following guidelines for monitoring and reporting crow morbidity and mortality. LHDs are responsible for informing animal control officers and local police of the proper submission and reporting protocol. LHDs should ensure that the specific address of the dead or ill bird and county are included.
Addresses are critical when mapping the exact location of positive birds.
As the season progresses, dead crow sightings are very likely to reflect WNV activity, based on data from 2000. At the peak of the WNV season, information on dead bird sightings becomes paramount for surveillance purposes as the avian positivity rate approaches 95 percent. Specimens must be submitted to PHEL within 4-5 days of collection, preferably less. All specimens should be kept refrigerated and shipped to the lab on cold packs. LHDs should ensure that specimens arrive on or before Friday, as the lab is closed on Saturday.