DHEC seeks help fighting Mosquito-borne Illnesses

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control seeks help preventing the spread of mosquito-borne illnesses. Anyone can help by submitting dead blue jays, crows, house sparrows, and house finches for testing. DHEC is accepting birds through Nov. 30. First, review the submission directions on DHEC’s website at http://www.scdhec.gov/birdtesting. By following those instructions, you can safely pick up and transport a bird to the closest DHEC county public health department for testing. Birds that test positive for illnesses are reported to local mosquito control agencies so they can take appropriate action to protect public health. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of birds and can subsequently spread diseases to humans.