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Los Angeles County West Vector & Vector-Borne Disease Control District
Sentinel Chicken Surveillance
Sentinel chicken serology is performed by placing chickens in an area over a long
period of time and testing their blood for the presence of antibodies to SLE and WEE
viruses. The District maintains 15 flocks of chickens located strategically
throughout the District.
The
chickens are bled once every two weeks during
the months of May through October. Blood samples are processed and tested in the
District's laboratory. Prior to equipping the District's laboratory, the blood
samples were sent to the State Viral and Rickettsial Laboratory. By performing these
tests "in-house", the District is able to sample more often and obtain results
within 48 to 72 hours. Therefore, the presence of viral activity is identified
earlier. Confirmation samples will be sent to the State Laboratory for quality
control. The results obtained from these laboratory tests are used to increase
inspections and control measures in areas where viral activity is present.
It is important to note that the chickens are well cared for and not harmed. Only
a very small amount of blood is taken from each chicken every other week. The
chickens represent a critical element of the District's surveillance program and help to
prevent any transmission of SLE and WEE to the human population.
Once a small amount of blood is collected, the blood is transferred to a numbered
filter paper strip. This filter paper strip is later used for laboratory testing.
