The public is being asked to report or submit certain dead birds to the Allegheny County Health Department to help track the West Nile virus.

As part of its annual surveillance program for the virus, the health department is seeking dead crows, blue jays, hawks, owls, falcons, ravens and buzzards. In addition, five or more dead birds of any species found in one location also should be reported.

The reporting and testing of dead birds can help health officials track West Nile and determine where to focus mosquito control efforts. Mosquitoes and birds pass the virus to each other via mosquito bites. Infected mosquitoes transmit the virus to humans but infected birds do not.

Dead birds can be reported to the health department by calling 412-687-ACHD or by visiting its web site at www.achd.net.

No birds have tested positive for the virus since a single positive test in 2006. There dead birds were positive in 2005 and five in 2003, with 162 in 2002 when West nile first appeared here in birds, mosquitoes and humans.

The surveillance program also includes the trapping and testing of mosquitoes, with 58 samples testing positive last year -- the most since 2002.

No human illnesses from West Nile have occurred since one positive test in 2007. There was one human case in 2006, six in 2005, 10 in 2003 and 22 in 2002. No deaths have been reported since four people died in 2002.

About 80 percent of those infected with the virus don't get sick. Symptoms usually are mild bu may include fever, headache, body aches, naseau, vomiting and sometimes swollen lymph glands or a skin rash. Less than one percent of those infected with West Nile develop serious, life-threatening illnesses such as encephalitis.

First Published: June 9, 2011, 6:45 p.m.