Latvia urges reports of dead wild birds as West Nile testing continues

Latvia’s Food and Veterinary Service is urging residents to report dead wild birds, particularly crows, magpies and jays, LSM reported. Laboratory tests on 36 dead wild birds found in Latvia by September have not detected West Nile virus.

Italy, Belgium, Croatia, Austria and Spain reported more cases of West Nile fever in wild birds during the final two months of summer. The disease has also been detected in horses in France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Greece and other European Union member states.

Reports of dead wild birds can be made to Food and Veterinary Service offices. Residents may also take a bird carcass to the laboratory of BIOR, the Institute of Food Safety, Animal Health and Environment, for free testing under the One Health 4 Surveillance project.

Anyone handling a carcass should use disposable gloves and place it in two watertight plastic bags, the service said.

West Nile fever is a zoonotic infectious disease that can affect both people and animals. Mosquitoes are the main carriers, while wild birds, especially species from the crow and sparrow families, are the main virus reservoir in nature.

In 2025, 424 laboratory tests were carried out in Latvia on dead wild birds or birds showing clinical signs associated with West Nile fever, horses with such signs and pooled mosquito samples. No cases were detected.

In autumn 2024, West Nile fever was detected for the first time in Latvia in a dead goshawk.