Last week neighbors in the 800 block of Burnside found a dead crow on their driveway. During the same week, they found a dead crow on the 800 block of Dunsmuir. It's probably not a coincidence, and everyone should be aware. From the California Government web site, it was learned that last week in Los Angeles County alone, there were 24 new incidences of dead birds with the West Nile Virus.

If you see a dead bird, DO NOT touch it with your bare hands. If it needs to be removed, use an inverted plastic bag to pick it up. Then report the finding by calling the "California WNV & Dead Bird Hotline" at 877-968-2473 or visit their web site http://www.westnile.ca.gov/ and submit an online form.

If you want further reading, you can visit the following sites:

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/wnv_birds.htm
http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/qa/symptoms.htm