West Nile virus and Birds Residents are urged not to touch any bird found lying on the road. Dead birds infected with West Nile virus found in Whiteside County may have been infected elsewhere and flown into Whiteside County when they died. However, chances are good dead birds that test positive for West Nile virus were infected locally. It is important to remember that birds die from many other causes besides West Nile virus. Birds should be dead no more than about 48 hours prior to collection, and should not show signs of advanced decomposition. Whiteside County Health Department staff collects up to 10 birds beginning in May of each year. Laboratory testing for West Nile virus is available through the Illinois Department of Public Health laboratory from May 15 to October 31 (or until 2 weeks after the first killing frost). Call the Whiteside County Health Department at (815) 772-7411, ext. 104, to indicate the location of the bird, and a determination will be made if it is to be collected for testing. Which birds are carriers of West Nile virus? More than 130 species of birds are known to have been infected with West Nile virus, though not all infected birds will die. In Whiteside County, crows have been the birds most often found dead from West Nile virus. Some acceptable species for testing are crows, blue jays, grackles, starlings, robins, cardinals, sparrows, finches, hawks and owls. Birds that will not be accepted include pigeons, ducks, geese, chickens, other large birds and endangered species.