Specimens submitted from this effort are being tested at the USGS biological containment facility in Madison. Positive specimens are being forwarded to CDC for verification. This effort is likely to continue through May, 2000. Crow samples are especially important because crows appear to be highly sensitive to the virus. Crows can act as sentinels for local transmission of the disease since they normally travel less than 200 miles.
Infected crows can also help state and local health departments determine the risk to humans.
USGS is working with USDA to systematically collect blood samples from crows and other bird species for virus detection along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. Sick or dead birds with signs of the disease will also be collected and examined. Work will continue to focus on collecting both information and samples to help determine the extent of wildlife species involved, the distribution of the virus in bird populations, and if the range of the virus is expanding beyond the currently reported regions. Plans are being developed to prepare for future outbreaks and research needs. Changes in pesticide regulations thus occur constantly, and human errors are still possible.