| Yes, your pet bird can potentially get you or | | | | ampicillin, gentamicin, trimethoprim |
| your child sick. Infectious diseases that can | | | | sulfamethoxazole, or ciprofloxacin. |
| be transmitted between humans and animals are | | | | |
| called zoonotic. Unfortunately, birds can | | | | *Chlamydia psittaci, often referred to as |
| carry at lease five different serious | | | | parrot fever or avian chlamydiosis (AC), is |
| illnesses. Not all birds carry disease but | | | | an important cause of systemic illness in |
| the potential is there so you must be | | | | birds kept as pets and in poultry. This |
| cautious, especially with very young | | | | disease has been isolated in 129 bird |
| children, very old people and immune system | | | | species, and parakeets, parrots, macaws, |
| compromised people. Immune compromised people | | | | cockatiels, pigeons, doves, and mynah birds |
| would include organ transplant recipients, | | | | are the most likely carriers. Birds may carry |
| people in chemotherapy and HIV infected | | | | this disease for years without showing signs |
| people. | | | | of it. Birds that show the disease may have a |
| | | | respiratory infection, eye discharge, |
| If you think that you or your child has been | | | | lethargy and diarrhea. Human infection with |
| exposed to or is suffering from any bird | | | | C. psittaci usually occurs through the |
| disease, your smart move is to consult your | | | | inhalation of aerosolized contaminated bird |
| physician who can help pinpoint the cause and | | | | urine, respiratory secretions, or dried feces |
| prescribe proper treatment. This article is | | | | of infected birds. Other sources of exposure |
| for your additional information only. I feel | | | | can include bird bites, mouth-to-beak |
| that it is always smart to do your homework | | | | contact, and handling the plumage and tissues |
| before you consult your physician. The more | | | | of infected birds. Treatment includes |
| help you can offer your physician on his | | | | Tetracyclines are the drugs of choice for |
| diagnosis of a problem the better. | | | | treating psittacosis in humans |
| | | | |
| First, to help avoid exposure to potential | | | | *Avian Tuberculosis can affect all species of |
| disease, cleanliness counts. To best protect | | | | birds. The signs of Avian TB in birds are |
| yourself from getting sick, thoroughly wash | | | | diarrhea, dull plumage, lethargy and gradual |
| your hands with running water and soap after | | | | wasting away, even if the birds appetite is |
| contact with birds or their droppings. | | | | good. Avian TB can be transmitted to humans |
| | | | via ingestion or inhalation of contaminated |
| Some people use rubber gloves and a mask when | | | | feces. The contaminated feces can persist in |
| cleaning birdcages and habitats. Disinfect | | | | the environment for many years. When cleaning |
| the sink after you wash bird toys, perches | | | | a potentially sick bird, it is best to wear |
| and food bowls. Do not share bites of food | | | | rubber gloves, goggles and a face mask. |
| with your pet bird, if you might be swapping | | | | Always wash arms up to elbows with antiseptic |
| saliva. Common sense goes a long way in | | | | soap even after wearing gloves. People are |
| helping to avoid exposure. | | | | generally very resistant to these infections. |
| | | | |
| The five diseases that can be carried by | | | | *HistoPlasmosis is a fungus that can be found |
| birds are Salmonella, Chlamydia psittaci , | | | | in earth rich with bird droppings. |
| Avian Tuberculosis, HistoPlasmosis and | | | | Transmission to human can occur when they |
| Cryptoccus. I will explain each disease. | | | | breathe in dust loaded with the fungus. This |
| | | | disease can cause a short term lung |
| *Salmonella is a bacterial disease associated | | | | infection. This infection generally clears up |
| with many birds, especially chickens, baby | | | | by itself as long as the infected person has |
| chicks, and ducklings. Salmonella live in the | | | | normal immune responses. Fungus killing |
| intestinal tracts of some birds, humans and | | | | medicines may be used if the infection is |
| other animals. Salmonella can be found in the | | | | stubborn. |
| feces of some pets, and people can become | | | | |
| infected if they do not wash their hands | | | | * Cryptococcus is found in the droppings of |
| after contact with these feces. There are | | | | wild birds (such as pigeons). When dried bird |
| approximately 40,000 human cases of | | | | droppings are stirred up, this can make dust |
| salmonellosis per year in the United States | | | | containing Cryptococcus go into the air and |
| (not all contracted from birds) and about 600 | | | | be breathed by people. Pets, such as dogs and |
| of those infected die. Salmonella causes | | | | cats, can also get sick with cryptococcosis |
| vomiting and diarrhea and sometimes fever. | | | | from this dust, but people do not get |
| Salmonella infections usually resolve in 5-7 | | | | cryptococcosis from dogs and cats. Most |
| days and often do not require treatment | | | | people do not get sick with cryptococcosis, |
| unless the patient becomes severely | | | | but some people, especially those immune |
| dehydrated or the infection spreads from the | | | | compromised with HIV infection are at danger. |
| intestines. Persons with severe diarrhea may | | | | For these people, cryptococcosis can cause |
| require rehydration, often with intravenous | | | | serious symptoms of brain and spinal cord |
| fluids. Antibiotics are not usually necessary | | | | disease, such as headaches, dizziness, |
| unless the infection spreads from the | | | | sleepiness, and confusion. |
| intestines, then it can be treated with | | | | |