West Nile Virus

Tredyffrin Township is actively engaged in testing for West Nile Virus. In 2002 Animal Control submitted over 50 deceased crows to the Health Department Lab for West Nile Virus testing. Five of those birds tested positive for West Nile Virus. In 2003, Animal Control will continue to pick up and transport dead crows and other suspect birds to the state lab for testing.

West Nile Virus Bird Testing Protocol:

The bird must be dead less than 24 hours. It cannot have any bugs on it or signs of decomposition. The bird must not have any signs of trauma to the body (hit by a car, killed by another animal).

If the bird meets the criteria for West Nile Virus Testing, contact the Tredyffrin Township Police at (610) 647-1440, the Chester County Health Department at (610) 344-6452 or the Pennsylvania Department of Health at 1-877-PA-HEALTH.

Minimize your risk

Summer months are the peak period for West Nile Virus concerns. West Nile Virus is transmitted through mosquito bite to birds. The most effective way to minimize this risk is to ensure that there is no place on your property for mosquitoes to breed.

• Check your property for any standing water and drain or fill it in
• Change the water in birdbaths frequently
• Dump children's wading pools when not used
• Drill holes in the bottom of trash cans and recycle bins so water cannot collect in them
• Check your yard for buckets, tires and other items that can collect water
• Garden effectively so water does not pool in areas of your property

Links

• West Nile Virus State Website Link
  http://www.state.pa.us
• Chester County Health Department West Nile Link
  http://www/chesco.org/health/westnile.html

(610) 644-3221
animalcontrol@tredyffrin.org