I found a dead bird in my yard today and the Department of State Health Services will not test it. How can we be tested for this deadly disease?

West Nile Virus transmission to people only occurs from the bite of an infected mosquito. Keep in mind, most people who become infected with West Nile Virus will have no symptoms at all. About 20% of people infected with West Nile Virus may develop mild flu-like symptoms. Less than 1% of those bitten by infected mosquitoes become severely ill. 

To be tested for the West Nile Virus, you should contact your health-care provider. If necessary, a blood sample will be taken and sent to a laboratory for testing. Some states and jurisdictions are no longer collecting dead birds because they have sufficiently established that the virus is in an area, and additional testing will not reveal any more information. Shifting resources away from testing of dead birds allows those resources to be devoted elsewhere in surveillance and control.

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1. I heard that putting up purple martin houses and bat houses will help prevent West Nile virus because those animals eat mosquitoes. Is this true?
2. My community won't spray for mosquitoes. Therefore, my town has no mosquito control and the citizens are at risk for West Nile Virus. Any tips?
3. My neighbor says you can get West Nile Virus from handling dead birds. Is this true?
4. I found a dead bird in my yard today and the Department of State Health Services will not test it. How can we be tested for this deadly disease?
5. My neighbor's bug zappers keep me awake all night. He says he got several zappers to protect his family from West Nile virus because they kill mosquitoes. I say they don't work. Who is right?
6. Why do some areas stop collecting dead birds?