The District has an extensive mosquito trapping program used to monitor mosquito populations and to detect diseases. Different types of traps are used depending on the environment, the species to be trapped, and the type of data needed. 

Dead birds are often the first indicator that West Nile virus exists in an area.

Note: The District's sentinel chicken surveillance program is on hold for 2025. Below information is about the history of the program, but the District will not have sentinel chicken flocks in 2025.