Due to the high volume of reports to the hotline, the California Department of Health Services is unable to respond to each report. However, all of the information received about dead birds is used by public agencies to track where birds are dying, which is an indicator of West Nile virus activity.

Guidelines for Disposing of Dead Birds

If you are instructed to dispose of the dead bird, or if the dead bird has not been picked up by five o’clock (5 p.m.) on the day it was reported, please follow these guidelines:

Avoid touching the dead bird with your bare hands. Ensure that your clothing does not come in contact with the dead bird or any blood, secretions or feces from the dead bird.

Use gloves or multiple heavy-duty plastic bags to pick up the dead bird.

Grasp the dead bird with your hand inside two plastic bags. Turn the plastic bags inside-out over the dead bird so the dead bird is now inside the plastic bags and your hands are on the outside of the plastic bags. Be sure that the beak or claws do not puncture the bags.

Tightly seal the two bags.

Dispose of the "double-bagged" bird carcass by placing it in a trash container. Ensure that the trash container is secure from children and animals while awaiting pickup from your refuse company.

WASH YOUR HANDS thoroughly with warm water and soap after disposal. If you wore gloves to dispose of the dead bird, wash your gloved hands and then wash your bare hands thoroughly after you have removed the gloves.

NOTE: There is currently no evidence that West Nile Virus can be transmitted from bird to human when proper precautions are taken when handling dead birds.