Kevin Connor

Bird Biology

June 15, 2016

Diseases and Health Risks in Birds

Stand outside for more than five minutes and chances are you will come across a handful

of different birds. Humans and certain species of birds are generally among close quarters,

especially in densely populated cities. There are many misconceptions the public has about safe

human interaction and diseases present in birds. It is said that birds and their droppings can carry

over 60 diseases. (Nordqvist, C. 2014) The most common topic we hear about health risks

spanning from birds is the avian flu due to the attention from media outlets in the past. The first

human diagnosis of the avian flu was found in 1997 in Hong Kong due to exposure of infected

poultry. Since 2003, around 650 cases of avian flu have been found throughout 15 different

countries. Although the risks of becoming infected are rare, sixty percent of the people exposed

to the virus have died due to complications from the avian flu. There are many hypotheses about

the origin of the virus prior to the first case found in 1997. In 2005 research was done about the

1918 Spanish Flu Epidemic (Lovgren 2004). Around twenty to forty million people died as a

result of the outbreak. Some of the research done hints that the origin of this deadly epidemic

may have started in birds that were within close contact of humans. Aside from the avian flu,

there are many other diseases that can infect humans. Cryptococcosis is a fungus whose spores

can be found in soil contaminated with pigeon droppings. People get cryptococcosis by

breathing in contaminated dust or getting it in open wounds. In humans, symptoms resemble

pneumonia and include shortness of breath, coughing, and fever. (CDC 2014) Histoplasmosis is a
fungal disease that is spread to people when they breathe in dust from pigeons. Very few people

become infected with histoplasmosis. People who do become ill tend to develop pneumonia-like

symptoms within 13 weeks of exposure: fever, chest pains, and a dry or nonproductive cough.

(CDC 2014) Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC, Avian Tuberculosis) is a bacterial disease

spread to people from birds and other animals through the environment. Experts believe that

people get MAC through exposure to the bacteria in the environment, though it is not clear

exactly how the bacteria are transmitted. This disease primarily affects people with a weak

immune system. Affected people might lose weight, have abdominal pain or diarrhea, and be

anemic or feel tired. (CDC 2014) Parrot Fever (Psittacosis; Chlamydiophila psittaci) is a

bacterial disease that people can get after accidentally breathing in secretions of infected

psittacine birds, including parrots and parakeets, or poultry and wild birds. People who become

sick with parrot fever might have fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, and

a dry cough. Symptoms usually begin 514 days after exposure but can take years to appear.

(CDC 2014)

The first side argues that the disease risks from birds among humans are small and should

not discourage human interaction with birds for education or pleasure. The evidence from the

articles recognize that the diseases mentioned above can be present among birds, but found

spread of the disease to be rare. From a study done on human infections associated with wild

birds, the available evidence suggests wild birds play a limited role in human infectious diseases.

Direct transmission of an infectious agent from wild birds to humans is rarely identified.

(Tsiodras, S., Kelesidis, T., Kelesidis, I., Bauchinger, U., & Falagas, M. E. 2008) A separate

study done on birds as pets states that most cases of pet bird-associated illness are asymptomatic
or self-limited and that prevention of human infection largely depends on proper hygiene and

sanitation. (Jorn, K. S., Thompson, K. M., Larson, J. M., & Blair, J. E. 2009).

The opposing side is that birds are a threat to the humans due to the diseases they can

carry. It has been suggested that there are over 60 other diseases that birds and their droppings

can carry. The problem is especially worrisome in residential areas, as many of them are

airborne and can be transferred to humans just by being around droppings. (Nordqvist, C. 2014)

It is important to keep in mind the location of the birds and where they gather and sleep. These

are areas are generally the breeding grounds for these diseases likely due to the high

concentration of birds along with droppings and nests to harbor bacteria. Wildlife workers tend

to ignore the risks associated with handling wildlife species and working in natural

environments. Diseases of wildlife or diseases present in their habitats can infect humans and

some can cause serious illness or even death. Becoming aware of the potential diseases present

and taking precautions to decrease exposure will greatly reduce chances of becoming infected

with one of these diseases. (CDC 2014)

The diseases presented in the scientific research that are known to infect humans are a

serious matter and should taught to members of the public in order to prevent illness. There will

always be a risk for disease when interacting with any sort of animal, but the research shows that

the risk for contracting a virus of disease from a bird is relatively low. Pet bird diseases with

zoonotic potential should not be neglected or underestimated, considering the major health

impact on the population, including children. The two keys for prevention of the spread of these

infectious diseases are education to the public, proper safety precautions, as well as regular and

thorough hygiene during and after interaction with any species of bird.
 Works Cited

Tsiodras, S., Kelesidis, T., Kelesidis, I., Bauchinger, U., & Falagas, M. E. (2008). Human

infections associated with wild birds. Journal of Infection, 56(2), 83-98.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18096237

Nordqvist, C. (2014, September 22). "Birds and their droppings can carry over 60

diseases." Medical News Today. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/61646.php.

Jorn, K. S., Thompson, K. M., Larson, J. M., & Blair, J. E. (2009). Polly can make you sick: Pet

bird-associated diseases. Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine, 76(4).

http://www.ccjm.org/index.php?

id=107937&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=361945&cHash=9d5af5b1e28f29a7f3a213b0654609cd

Birds Kept as Pets, CDC (2014). Retrieved June 14, 2016, from

http://www.cdc.gov/healthypets/pets/birds.html

Lovgren, S. (2004, February 5). Disastrous 1918 Flu Linked to Birds, Study Says. Retrieved June

15, 2016, from

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2004/02/0205_040205_spanishflu.html

Boseret, G., Losson, B., Mainil, J. G., Thiry, E., & Saegerman, C. (2013). Zoonoses in pet birds:

Review and perspectives. Vet Res Veterinary Research, 44(1), 36. doi:10.1186/1297-

9716-44-36 http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3668993/#__sec33title 2013