Dead Birds
Dead bird pickup and testing is no longer done. The West Nile Virus infection has become an established disease agent capable of affecting public health in all jurisdictions of Maryland. The risk of West Nile Virus infection is considered universal in Maryland and further testing of birds is not warranted (the disease is not transmitted by birds and dead bird density does not predict human illness or dictate mosquito control efforts).
The West Nile Virus plan emphasizes the surveillance of West Nile Virus in humans, horses, and mosquitoes in order to determine the need for mosquito management and control as well as public awareness campaigns to reduce mosquito-breeding sites and to promote personal protection measures. Reports of dead birds will not be accepted through the Maryland Public Health Hot Topics Line (1-866-866-2769) or through the online reporting form.
Citizens are advised to discard dead birds in the trash. Avoid touching dead birds, or any dead animal, with bare hands. Use gloves, shovel, an inverted plastic bag or other indirect means to place the carcass in a plastic bag. Birds can also be buried. Wash Hands! Gloves should be washed or discarded. Sick or injured birds should be reported to your local wildlife rehabilitator (contact the Maryland Department of Natural Resources Wildlife and Heritage Service, Nuisance Animal Hotline at 1-877-463-6497 for a list of licensed wildlife rehabilitators in your area).
Horses
An information brochure titled "Your Horse and West Nile Virus" is available upon request by calling the Baltimore County Health Department at 410-877-2723.
Public Information
Each year, beginning July 1 through October 31, the State hotline 1-866-866-2769 will open and provide recorded informational messages. The hotline is accessible 24 hours a day.
The Baltimore County Department of Health has developed pre-stamped, informational packets that can be customized according to your needs. Call 410-887-2723 to request a mailing packet.
Information regarding specific mosquito control insecticides, including a label and material safety data sheet (MSDS) for each product, and ways to reduce exposure to an insecticide being applied, is currently available on the MDA web site.
Further information can be obtained from the State, and Centers for Disease Control web sites below:
Owner Occupies Residences
Complaints regarding owner-occupied residences are referred to the Department of Environmental Protection and Resource Management (DEPRM) at 410-887-4065.
Recreational Areas / Large Commercial Sites
Complaints regarding recreational areas/streams/lakes/ponds and large commercial sites are also referred to DEPRM. DEPRM will evaluate and refer the complaint to the Maryland Department of Agriculture (MDA), Mosquito Control Division as necessary.
- Residential & Recreational Areas: 410-887-4065
- Commercial Sites: 1-877-425-6485 or 410-841-5870
Rental Properties
Complaints regarding rental properties are referred to Baltimore County Code Enforcement at 410-887-3351.
The Maryland Department of Agriculture will provide mosquito control service to all communities that desire to enroll in the program, within resource limits; however, the Department cannot provide mosquito control service in a community that has not enrolled in the program.
Participating communities (over 2200 in the Maryland), or their sponsoring county government, are required to pay at least on half of the cost of mosquito control services. The remaining cost is paid by MDA. Please contact the Maryland Department of Agriculture at 1-877-425-6485 or 410-841-5870 for more information.
Revised June 2, 2005
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