UPDATE: LA County Veterinary Public Health ceased testing dead birds for West Nile Virus in 2020, but other agencies continue to test them. Learn more about reporting dead birds for WNV testing here.

Did you know?

• In 2018, a total of 93 dead birds were tested for WNV in LA County

• 19 dead birds tested positive for WNV (20%)

• Learn about humans with West Nile Virus in LA County

Why test dead birds for WNV?

Tracking WNV in dead birds helps show where the virus is active in the county. It also helps show the start and end to the WNV season.

What kinds of dead birds should I report for WNV testing?

Freshly dead birds of any species (except pigeons and doves) can be tested for WNV.  Crows and ravens are the species that most commonly test positive.

How do I report a dead bird?

• Click here to read about reporting individual dead birds for potential WNV testing.

• Click here to read about reporting clusters of three or more sick or dead birds (or other animals) for potential testing here.

Learn more about WNV

• WNV in humans in LA County

• WNV in birds in LA County

• 2016 LA County dead bird WNV data

• 2016 West Nile Virus in Birds and Humans- combined - Epidemiology Report

• WNV throughout California

Where does this data come from?

Members of the public report dead birds to various agencies in LA County and in California. Each dead bird is tracked, even when they cannot be tested for WNV.

The Veterinary Public Health Program graphs and maps the LA County data from all participating agencies and shares it on this page.

Tracking WNV in dead birds has helped reveal shifts in the environmental epidemiology of the virus over the years. A vibrant dead bird testing program is an essential part of tracking the virus in our environment in LA County. You can help track WNV in our county by reporting dead birds.

Last updated: January 24, 2024