Crow Deaths as a Sentinel Surveillance System for West Nile Virus
Author Information
Author(s): Millicent Eidson, Nicholas Komar, Faye Sorhage, Randall Nelson, Tom Talbot, Farzad Mostashari, Robert McLean
Primary Institution: New York State Department of Health
Hypothesis
Can dead crows be used as an effective surveillance system for detecting West Nile virus outbreaks?
Conclusion
The West Nile virus outbreak in 1999 highlighted the importance of using dead birds, particularly crows, as indicators of viral activity and public health risks.
Supporting Evidence
- 295 dead birds were confirmed with West Nile virus infection.
- 89% of the infected birds were American Crows.
- Surveillance systems were established to monitor bird deaths and guide public health actions.
Takeaway
When crows die, it can mean that a virus is spreading in the area, which helps people know when to be careful.
Methodology
Data from health departments on dead bird sightings were collected and analyzed, and laboratory testing was conducted on specimens.
Potential Biases
Media coverage may have led to underreporting in areas with less attention, affecting the data's representativeness.
Limitations
Public awareness and media coverage influenced reporting rates, and the testing process was labor-intensive, limiting the number of specimens analyzed.
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