Health officials - Stop bringing birds

ST. LOUIS -- In a sign that Missourians seem to be well aware of the arrival of West Nile Virus, St. Louis health officials are asking residents to stop bringing in dead birds.

The St. Louis Health Department said Wednesday that it has more than enough dead birds for virus testing. Chicago officials made a similar announcement last week.

Larry Kettelhut, St. Louis environmental health services chief, said residents should instead throw the birds away by picking them up with gloves, double-bagging them and throwing them in the nearest trash bin.