Do Bird Droppings Carry Disease in India?

When we think of any bird it gives pleasant and relaxing thoughts that come into mind. Birds are fascinating additions to families and common pets in the recent era.

Bird Owners should be aware that although their birds might be highly intelligent and fun companions, even though they can sometimes carry germs that can make them sick as well as make bird owners also sick.

Although rare, germs from birds can cause a variety of illnesses in people, ranging from minor skin infections to serious illnesses. One of the best ways you can protect yourself from getting sick is to thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after you touch birds, their droppings, or items in their cages.

By providing your birds with routine veterinary care and the cleanliness of their aviary, you can prevent yourself from touching or owning a pet bird. Also, it is kept in the note that birds can spread diseases not only to humans but also to other birds in the aviary and pets like dogs, etc in the house.

How birds spread disease 
Many factors contribute to how birds spread diseases which are:

Bird Droppings: It is a primary reason for the spread of diseases to humans, other birds, and pets like a dog, etc.

Feathers: It is not as common as bird droppings but bird feathers can also be responsible for the spread of diseases. It can often play host to a range of parasites, bacteria, and viruses. However, it is primarily the feathers of a dead bird that carry said diseases.

Nests: Bird nests can also be held responsible for the spread of diseases. Bird nests can be the perfect breeding site for certain species of fungus, which can spread through debris. It is also home to parasites and other insects which can result in human transmission.

How can you be infected by Birds?
There are the following mediums through which you can be infected:

Inhaling – when bird droppings become dry, any diseases living in the droppings can become airborne.

Eating – Eating any food products contaminated with bacteria, fungi, or viruses spread by birds.

Drinking – Similar to eating, drinking contaminated water and other drink products can lead to infection.

Touching – Dead birds can play hosts to a range of harmful bacteria, fungi, and viruses.

Insect bites – Biting insects can become infected with a disease from biting a bird. Accumulating a bite from an infected insect can lead to infection.

Types of diseases that can be spread by Birds
Birds can spread over 60 different diseases which have the potential to infect both humans and pets including other birds and dogs.

There is a common disease that occurs in humans from birds:
Histoplasmosis: It is an infection caused by the fungus, particularly in soil that contains large amounts of bird droppings. Humans can get histoplasmosis by breathing in the microscopic fungus from the environment.

Signs in birds: Birds do not get sick from histoplasmosis.

Symptoms in people: Most people don’t get sick from histoplasmosis. People who do get sick from histoplasmosis can have pneumonia-like symptoms including fever, cough, and fatigue.

Psittacosis: It is a disease caused by bacteria spread through the droppings and respiratory secretions of infected birds. People most commonly get psittacosis after exposure to pet birds, like parrots and cockatiels, etc.

How it spreads: People most commonly get psittacosis by breathing in dust from droppings or respiratory secretions of infected birds.

Signs in birds: Infected birds may or may not show symptoms. If they do have symptoms, they can include poor appetite, discharge from the eyes or nose, diarrhea or loss of droppings, green urates (the white part of their droppings), or breathing difficulty, among others.

Symptoms in people: People who get sick with psittacosis might have a fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, difficulty breathing, and a dry cough.

Cryptococcosis: It is an infection caused by fungus particularly in soil or in bird droppings. 

How it spreads: People can get cryptococcosis by breathing in the microscopic fungus from the environment.

Signs in birds: It is rare to see signs in birds.

Symptoms in people: Symptoms can resemble pneumonia, including cough, shortness of breath, and fever. Cryptococcal meningitis can cause headaches, fever, and neck pain.

So from the above discussion, you have an idea about the

How birds spread disease.

How can you be infected by Birds?
Types of diseases that can be spread by Birds.

Now the question arises how you prevent yourself and your pets from the above diseases mean How to stay healthy around pet birds:

Wash your hands after touching birds or their toys. Do not pick up droppings with your bare hands.

Maintain basic protocol of not to clean any bird food or water bowls in the kitchen sink. This includes cages and food and water containers. Bacteria and other germs can cross-contaminate our food preparation areas.

Prevent bird bites and scratches.

Clean up debris and cages daily. You may use Virkon S to clean your cages or aviary.

Don’t place food or water bowls just below the perch.