Diseases that can be passed from animals to humans are referred to as zoonotic. There are several such diseases that can jump from birds to humans. They range from mild illness to deadly infections. Some of the most common follow:
Avian Influenza: Perhaps the best known and deadliest of these zoonotic diseases is the avian flu (H5N1), which is transmitted through bird fecal matter. It first appeared in 1997, and since then hundreds of cases have been reported, mainly in Asia. It is an extremely virulent form of the flu, known to kill over 60% of those infected with it. It is a major concern of infectious disease experts that this flu may one day become a pandemic. For the moment though, it seems to be relatively contained in impoverished areas of Asia.
Avian Tuberculosis: Essentially a bird carried version of the well known tuberculosis disease. It is considered rare, but is especially hard to treat in humans. Originating in fecal matter, it is an airborne pathogen.
Campylobacteriosis: A bacterial infection which is contracted by humans through bird feces. It causes the same symptoms in humans as it does in birds, namely, severe diarrhea, acute abdominal pain, and fever. It is often hard to detect as infected birds are sometimes asymptomatic. This is one of the reasons why proper gear is required when dealing with bird feces.
New Castle Disease: A serious and sometimes understated disease. It is one of the few infections known to infect both wild and domesticated birds. It is transmitted to humans through fecal matter, and contact with sickly birds. Its more serious symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis, seizures, and respiratory complications.
Psittacosis: A very rare disease, perhaps rarer than the H5N1 avian flu, less than 50 cases have been reported in the United States since 1996. It is most often transmitted to humans through respiratory secretions of parrots. If contracted, the disease manifests itself through several virulent symptoms. Normal, are fever, headache, and respiratory infections. Also common, is hepatitis, and severe pneumonia. The diseases should be treated with a stringent antibiotics regiment.
Sarcoidosis: Much more common than some of the other disease already mentioned, Sarcoidosis is contracted by inhaling infected bird droppings. Symptoms of the diseases are caused by the enlarging of body tissues, notably the lungs and lymph nodes. Granulomas form as immune cells rush to swelling areas of the body. Secondary symptoms very based on which part of the body is infected. If the lungs are infected (the most common area of infection) than common symptoms include chest discomfort, dry cough, shortness of breath, and irregular breathing patterns. Unlike some diseases, Sarcoidosis is rarely fatal, and most symptoms will go away on their own over time.
It is important to note that all animals carry zoonotic diseases, so one should not choose a dog as a pet over a bird because they are afraid of infection. Most bird diseases are rare in domesticated birds, and like in avoiding any illness, proper hygiene (of you and your bird) will help to ward off and prevent disease.
Avian Tuberculosis: Essentially a bird carried version of the well known tuberculosis disease. It is considered rare, but is especially hard to treat in humans. Originating in fecal matter, it is an airborne pathogen.
Campylobacteriosis: A bacterial infection which is contracted by humans through bird feces. It causes the same symptoms in humans as it does in birds, namely, severe diarrhea, acute abdominal pain, and fever. It is often hard to detect as infected birds are sometimes asymptomatic. This is one of the reasons why proper gear is required when dealing with bird feces.
New Castle Disease: A serious and sometimes understated disease. It is one of the few infections known to infect both wild and domesticated birds. It is transmitted to humans through fecal matter, and contact with sickly birds. Its more serious symptoms include fever, conjunctivitis, seizures, and respiratory complications.
Psittacosis: A very rare disease, perhaps rarer than the H5N1 avian flu, less than 50 cases have been reported in the United States since 1996. It is most often transmitted to humans through respiratory secretions of parrots. If contracted, the disease manifests itself through several virulent symptoms. Normal, are fever, headache, and respiratory infections. Also common, is hepatitis, and severe pneumonia. The diseases should be treated with a stringent antibiotics regiment.
Sarcoidosis: Much more common than some of the other disease already mentioned, Sarcoidosis is contracted by inhaling infected bird droppings. Symptoms of the diseases are caused by the enlarging of body tissues, notably the lungs and lymph nodes. Granulomas form as immune cells rush to swelling areas of the body. Secondary symptoms very based on which part of the body is infected. If the lungs are infected (the most common area of infection) than common symptoms include chest discomfort, dry cough, shortness of breath, and irregular breathing patterns. Unlike some diseases, Sarcoidosis is rarely fatal, and most symptoms will go away on their own over time.
It is important to note that all animals carry zoonotic diseases, so one should not choose a dog as a pet over a bird because they are afraid of infection. Most bird diseases are rare in domesticated birds, and like in avoiding any illness, proper hygiene (of you and your bird) will help to ward off and prevent disease.