Description of the Program

The mission of the Zoonotic-Vector Control program is to prevent the spread of pathogens to humans, as well as to eradicate or control the population of animal vectors that harbor the pathogens.

Zoonotic diseases are illnesses that can be transmitted from animals to humans.  Such illnesses include rabies, West Nile Virus and Hanta Virus.  Vectors are insects, birds, bats, deer, horses, cats and dogs and other animals that can carry such diseases.

The Zoonotic-Vector program's objective is to monitor vector populations for diseases, provide education on prevention of diseases, and to control the populations of rats, mice and other vectors.

West Nile Virus Toll Free Information 1-866-78VIRUS

Related Health Department Web Links

• West Nile Virus

• Mosquito Control District

• Dead Bird Reporting

• Rabies

• Bats, Rats, and Mice

 Related Outside Websites

• Cowlitz County Animal Control

• Cowlitz County Humane Society

• BatCam

• West Nile Virus

• How to Report a Dead Bird

• Zoonotic Disease Program

• Tick & Tick-borne Diseases in Washington

• E. coli Fact Sheet

• Hantavirus Fact Sheet

• Lyme Disease

• Petting Zoo Compendium

• Psittacosis Compendium

• Rabies Fact Sheet

• Rabies Compendium

• Rabies Prevention in Washington State

• Salmonellosis Fact Sheet

CDC Links

• Zoonotic Diseases

• Bats & Rabies

What services are provided by Health Department professionals for Cowlitz County?  

• Recording and reporting data on animal bites, dead birds, West Nile Virus and related information.

• Monitoring and controlling levels of vector populations in Cowlitz County.

• Education on prevention of exposure to disease-causing vectors, such as birds, bats, rodents, mosquitoes and insects and domestic animals.

• Technical expertise to citizens, agencies and medical and veterinary professionals about vector control, animal bites and vermin infestation.

Accomplishments

• One bird specimen tested for West Nile Virus in 2008 with zero birds testing positive.