BAKERSFIELD -- The West Nile Virus has already taken one life here in Kern County this year and killed more than 60 birds.

In recent weeks ABC 23 has received numerous calls over questions about dead birds found on your property.

Health officials advise that you take precautions before touching a dead bird but first encourage people to call the state West Nile Virus and Dead Bird Hotline, at 1-877-968-2473, so officials can test the animals for the disease.

But one Downtown Bakersfield woman found out that doesn't always mean someone is coming to pickup the dead bird.

Helen Kurchberger says she and her neighbors have found at least a half dozen dead birds in their backyards and driveways, including a bird that she found Monday morning near her car.

She told ABC 23 that her gardner usually gets rid of the dead birds, but this time she called the hotline where she was told someone wouldn't be able to retrieve it for a couple of days.

The reason why is that there is a high volume of dead birds.

Officials ideally want to recover the birds within 24 hours of their death in order to test them for West Nile.

According to the state's West Nile Virus Website, 66 dead birds in Kern County are confirmed to have had the disease and 355 birds have been found dead with the disease in 30 California counties so far this year, compared to just 151 on this date last year.

But its not just birds as squirrels can also carry the disease.

It's a disease that health officials say is here to stay and will sicken 20-percent of the people who get it.

But if officials aren't able to pick up the dead bird you might have to do it yourself with a little caution.

Officials say to wear gloves, use a shovel and put the dead bird in a plastic bag before throwing it away.

And officials say the best way to protect yourself from West Nile, don't get bit by mosquitos.