VECTOR CONTROL PROGRAM

Attention: Our business hours are 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday.

If you find a dead bird, please complete the information below or call the County Vector Control Program at (888) 551-4636.  Dead birds are one of the earliest warning-signs that West Nile virus or Bird Flu has arrived in an area.  West Nile virus has been found in birds in the United States and in San Diego County.  To date there have been no cases of Bird Flu in birds in the United States or in San Diego County.  

Dead birds should not be touched unless they need to be removed immediately.  If handling dead birds use caution by:

  • Do not touch the dead bird with your bare hands.  

  • Wear gloves or use a shovel to pick the dead bird up.

  • Wear protective eyewear to prevent bird fluids from being splashed into your eyes when the bird is wet, large or covered with feces. 

  • Put the dead bird into two plastic bags.  

  • Wash your hands with soap and water after disposing of the bird. 

Please support the County’s efforts in "Fighting the Bite" by reporting dead birds and preventing the spread of West Nile and Bird Flu.

First Name*
Last Name
Email*
Address (where the bird is located)*
City
Zip Code
Specific location of the bird? (e.g. - street, front yard, etc)*
Phone number (including area code) where you can be contacted between 8am-5pm today:*
Alternate Phone
Best time to call today: 8am - 9am
9am - 10am
10am - 11am
11am - 12pm
12pm - 1pm
1pm - 2pm
2pm - 3pm
3pm - 4pm
4pm - 5pm
Species of Bird*
Only accepting birds on dropdown list.
If you answer "Yes" to any of the following, the bird will not be picked up for testing, because it will not make a good test specimen.  You may not receive a return phone call.
Has the bird been dead for more than 24 hours?*Yes  No
Has the bird been damaged by cars or animals?* Yes  No
Are there ants, flies, or maggots on the bird?* Yes  No
Does the bird smell bad?* Yes  No
Thank you for your participation, and helping to Fight the Bite of West Nile virus and prevent Bird Flu.

For more information on why dead birds are so important to the surveillance of West Nile virus and Bird Flu, please refer to the following references:

To submit comments, email the DEH Webmaster
Last Updated: 1-April-2008