Although humans can contract various diseases from birds, that does not mean that they cannot be kept as pets. The probability of contracting a zoonotic disease varies according to the hygiene of the space, our own personal hygiene or the state of he alth of the animal, since veterinary visits are routine essential.
In this article on our site we will talk about the different diseases that birds transmit to humans, how we can get them and what organism they are involved.
Zoonosis in birds
Not all diseases that birds suffer from can be transmitted to humans. When a disease can be spread, we call it a zoonosis or zoonotic disease. Therefore, we define zoonoses as any disease that is accidentally transmitted from any animal to a human being
Respiratory diseases
Psittacosis
Psittacosis was discovered in the 19th century, when it was associated with parrots brought from South America. This disease is caused by an obligate intracellular bacterium (it can only live inside the cells of the animals it parasitizes) of the chlamydial family, called Chlamydophila psittaci. A person can get it by being in contact with affected birds
Influenza
The influenza virus or bird flu is the cause of the typical avian plague in poultry, but it can affect any birds, from domestic to wild. This virus can easily mutate, aggravating the symptoms of the disease. The best known subtypes are H5 and H7, because they are the ones that cause disease in humans.
It was not until 1997 that the H5 subtype of this virus began to affect humans in Hong Kong. It is not known for sure if the virus can pass from human to human, the infected people are individuals who are closely related to the poultry production, since either with living and sick individuals, with dead animals or in contact with the contaminated environment.
In humans, this disease can cause anything from simple conjunctivitis to severe pneumonia and death. In birds, it is usually asymptomatic.
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum that is transmitted through from airIt mainly affects the lungs but can spread to other organs. The fungus usually lives in the soil of caves where birds and bats live, since the droppings of these animals feed the fungus, and are also found in its tract digestive.
Both in birds and humans, the disease can evolve without symptoms producing small lesions in the lungs and, sometimes, if the immune system is not strong, it ends up affecting other organs.
Newcastle Disease
Newcastle disease is highly contagious, spread through faecesof an infected animal and, also, by nasal discharges This disease is caused by a virus of the paramyxovirus group, which can remain alive in the environment for weeks.
In birds, when the strain is very virulent, it usually causes death, after symptoms such as depression, nervous manifestations or diarrhea appear. In humans it only manifests as a mild conjunctivitis.
Fever Q
Q Fever is caused by the bacteria Coxiella burnetii. It not only affects birds, it also infects mammals, reptiles and arthropods. Being the ruminants the main reservoir.
The moment in which there is a greater probability of contagion is during the birth of cattle, through amniotic fluid Bacteria are capable of to bind to dust and travel long distances through the air. By breathing these particles, we acquire the disease. In addition, it can also be spread by ticks
West Nile Fever
West Nile Fever is caused by a flavivirus. It was discovered in 1935 in Uganda. Currently, we can find the virus anywhere in the world.
The main reservoir of the disease is birds which, when bitten by mosquitoes, these spread the virus to other animals, such as horses or humans. The disease can be asymptomatic, but can also show neurological symptoms and cause death, both in humans and other animals.
Gastrointestinal diseases
Salmonellosis
Salmonellosis can be caused by two species of Salmonella, Salmonella bongori and Salmonella enterica. These bacteria live in the digestive tract of birds, so any product that becomes contaminated with feces can spread the disease.
In humans, the bacteria is acquired by eating contaminated food, usually eggs or poultry. Symptoms are usually vomiting, diarrhea and fever. Normally, the human being does not need treatment, only to avoid dehydration. Only immunosuppressed people may require treatment.
Campylobacteriosis
The cause of this disease is the bacterium Campylobacter jejuni, usually found in wild and domestic birds, especially parrots, goldfinches and canaries. The bacteria lodges in the intestines of these animals causing symptoms such as hepatitis, lethargy, loss of appetite, weight loss and yellow diarrhoea. It is normal for the bird to die
Campylobacteriosis is transmitted to humans through contact with chicken meat, milk or other products contaminated with feces from sick birds. In people, the disease is not as serious as in birds, it normally only produces diarrhea that lasts about 7 days.
Skin diseases
Pasteurellosis
Pasteurellosis is caused by the bacterium Pasteurella multocida, the same one that causes Avian cholera We usually find this bacterium in the nasopharyngeal area of totally he althy birds. These microorganisms can infect humans through the bird bite or scratch They cause erythematous and quite painful infected wounds.
Erysipeloid
This disease is caused by the bacterium Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae. It is transmitted to humans by contact with poultry or domestic birds. It causes localized skin infections, painful and itchy. The infection can affect joints near the source of the infection.
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcus neoformans is the yeast that causes this disease. Our pet can carry the yeast without showing symptoms. In principle, transmission to humans occurs through previous wounds on the skin that come into contact with the animal's faeces. If the immune system is not affected, the disease does not go beyond that, but in immunosuppressed people it can end up affecting the lungs and the nervous system.
Avian mite dermatitis
Mites can transmit many types of mites, some harmless to humans and others harmful such as Ornithonyssus sylviarum and Dermanyssus gallinae. They usually cause inflammation of the skin or eczema On our site we talk about the red mite in chickens and mites in canaries.
Non-tuberculous mycobacteriosis
This disease is caused by fungi of the genus Mycobacterium. They usually live on the beaks and feet of birds. In humans usually affects the skin but also the lungs if inhaled.
What to do if I have a sick bird?
If after reading this article you think you have observed symptoms that indicate your bird is sick, don't hesitate andgo to your veterinarian to carry out a general check-up, it is essential to confirm the diagnosis, prevent the clinical picture from worsening and start treatment promptly and effectively.
