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People can become infected with bacterial, viral, and fungal infections from birds.
This article presents the avian infections that pose a risk to the average person, out of the numerous “avian” infections.
The following diseases will be discussed: Gistoplasmosis, Campylobacteriosis, Cryptococosis, Ornithosis, Bird flu, Salmonellosis, and Aspergillosis.
Histoplasmosis
A globally widespread infectious disease affecting around half a million individuals annually. The cause of the disease is the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus.
How does it spread?
Neither domesticated nor wild birds carry histoplasmosis, but their feces contain high levels of nitrogen, essential for the growth of free-living forms of the fungus. These forms form colonies in the surrounding environment and multiply through fragmentation.
People mostly become infected when they visit areas with a large number of birds and a buildup of bird droppings, such as chicken coops, pigeon lofts, or building attics. If a person inhales the fragments, the histoplasma will transform into a parasitic yeast form at a body temperature of 37°C. The yeast can then travel from the lungs into the lymphatic vessels and spread throughout the body.
Infection can occur to anyone, but people over 65, infants, and those with weakened immune systems are more vulnerable.
Recognizing the Symptoms of the Disease.
Most healthy adults who inhale the fungus don’t get sick, as their immune systems can handle the yeast.
However, about 5% of those who inhale fragments develop flu-like symptoms 3-17 days later, including:
- Fever of 38°C or higher
- Severe weakness
- Headache
- Cough and chest pain
- Body aches
The main difference between histoplasmosis and the flu is that histoplasmosis symptoms persist for several weeks to a month. Afterward, most people recover, but for those in the risk group, the disease can lead to a long-term lung infection or spread to other parts of the body, such as the head or spinal cord.
What to do if you suspect you have histoplasmosis.
If you experience symptoms like the flu, contact a doctor immediately and follow their advice. Typically, the flu lasts for about a week. If your symptoms persist beyond this time frame, your doctor will look for other causes of your illness. If you have recently visited an area where you may have been exposed to bird droppings, your doctor may recommend a blood or urine test to check for histoplasmosis.
Most cases of histoplasmosis will resolve on their own within a month. However, individuals with weakened immune systems may need specialized treatment to avoid complications. The disease is treated with antifungal medication, including itraconazole for mild to moderate infections, and Amphotericin B for severe infections.
The duration of treatment depends on the severity of the infection and the patient’s immune status, and may range from three months to a year.
To prevent infection, city dwellers can simply avoid attics, roofs, and pigeon lofts. If you keep decorative birds at home, it is essential to keep their cages clean and free of droppings.
For those who live outside the city and keep poultry, they must observe proper poultry-keeping practices: locate the poultry house or pigeon loft far from the house, wear special shoes that are not worn inside the house when entering, and regularly clean the rooms where the birds are kept to prevent the accumulation of droppings.
Before cleaning, it’s recommended to spray the floor with water to prevent mold fragments from rising into the air. To ensure maximum protection and avoid inhaling Histoplasma fragments, it’s advisable to wear a respirator that covers both the nose and mouth while working.
Campylobacteriosis: An Overview
What is it? A common infectious gastrointestinal disease that affects one in every ten people in the world each year. The disease is caused by bacteria from the Campylobacter genus.
How can you get infected?
Campylobacteriosis affects not only humans but also animals, including domestic and wild birds. Typically, humans become infected through the fecal-oral route – that is, if they accidentally ingest the smallest particles of animal feces that contain bacteria. This usually happens when consuming untreated water, unpasteurized milk, or poorly prepared meat.
However, you can also get infected directly from domestic or wild birds. To do this, it is enough to avoid washing your hands after petting a bird, cleaning its cage, or working in a poultry farm or pigeon loft.
Who is at Risk of Infection?
Anyone who has come into contact with birds or consumed undercooked meat can fall ill with campylobacteriosis. However, the disease is more likely to affect children under 5 years old, individuals over 65, and those with a compromised immune system, such as those with uncontrolled HIV infection or congenital immunodeficiency.
The symptoms of campylobacteriosis usually appear 2-5 days after infection and persist for around a week. The bacteria cause inflammation of the digestive and intestinal mucosa, leading to typical symptoms of gastroenteritis, such as:
- A fever of +38 °C;
- Headache;
- Stomach pain and cramps;
- Watery diarrhea, sometimes with blood;
- Nausea and vomiting.
In some cases, campylobacters can also cause meningitis (inflammation of the brain membranes), endocarditis (inflammation of the inner heart lining), fever of unknown origin, and arthritis (affecting the knees). These symptoms can last from one week to several months. “
What to Do if You Suspect Illness
In most cases, adult symptoms of campylobacteriosis will subside without treatment within 3-7 days. During this time, it’s important to stay hydrated by drinking pure water, eat small meals, and get plenty of rest.
However, if symptoms persist for more than three days, or if you experience symptoms as a child, pregnant woman, or person over 65, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately to avoid dehydration.
How to Avoid Infection
To reduce the risk of contracting campylobacteriosis, it’s important to follow safe food preparation and storage practices, such as:
- Consuming only purified water and pasteurized milk;
- Cooking meat and poultry to a minimum internal temperature of +74°C;
- Keeping raw poultry and meat separate from other products in the refrigerator;
- Using a separate cutting board for meat products;
- Washing your hands before and after food preparation, after using the bathroom, and before eating.
To avoid getting sick from contact with wild or domestic birds, it’s critical to wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water after any interaction with them or surfaces that may have been contaminated with their droppings. This should always be done, even if the birds appear healthy and clean, as they can still transmit campylobacters to humans.
Cryptococcus
Cryptococcus is a fungal infection caused by Cryptococcus neoformans. Each year, around a million people globally contract Cryptococcus.
How can you get infected?
Most people who develop Cryptococcus have not had contact with birds. They typically become infected by breathing in fragments from the environment. However, there have been cases of people getting sick from contact with pigeon droppings and certain domestic birds, including chickens, parrots, and canaries.
Some researchers believe that Cryptococcus may temporarily reside in the intestines of birds and spread through droppings, while others believe that the fungus obtains the necessary nutrients from bird droppings to form colonies and release fragments, allowing for infection even through contact with droppings from healthy birds.
Who is more likely to get infected.
People get infected with Cryptococcus as frequently as they do with Histoplasmosis. However, the human immune system is better equipped to handle Cryptococcus than Histoplasmosis. If healthy individuals without chronic diseases inhale the fungus’ fragments, their immune system usually destroys them.
In some instances, yeast cells that survive can form granulomas in the lungs and lymph nodes. These densifications can later become a source of re-infection if the person’s immunity decreases.
Cryptococcus neoformans primarily poses a threat to individuals with weakened immune systems. If they inhale the fungus in its fragmented or encapsulated yeast form, it begins to multiply in the lungs and can spread throughout the body, possibly even reaching the brain and causing cryptococcal meningitis.
Symptoms of Cryptococcus Infection
Many infected individuals may not experience any symptoms of Cryptococcus. However, the manifestation of symptoms depends on where the fungus has settled in the body.
If Cryptococcus is residing in the lungs, it can lead to symptoms akin to pneumonia including coughing, breathing difficulties, chest pain and high fever. On the other hand, if it settles in the brain, it results in meningitis symptoms such as severe headache, neck pain, nausea, vomiting, sensitivity to light, disorientation, and high fever.
Action to be taken: If an individual with a weakened immune system experiences symptoms like pneumonia or meningitis, they must immediately inform their doctor.
Preventing Cryptococcus Infection: Minimizing the Risk
While it may not be possible to completely eliminate the risk of exposure to Cryptococcus neoformans, taking certain precautions can help reduce the likelihood of infection. This includes washing hands thoroughly with soap and water after interacting with birds and avoiding areas with bird feces. Additionally, it is best to limit the presence of pigeons in residential areas by plugging holes on attics and ensuring that garbage containers are covered or located in secure sheds. While individuals may not be able to control the presence of pigeons in their courtyard, they can avoid feeding birds and educate their neighbors about the dangers of doing so.
Ornithosis
Ornithosis is a professional infectious disease that primarily affects those who come into contact with birds, such as employees of zoos, pet stores, bird farms, breeders, and pet bird enthusiasts. It is caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci.
Both wild and pet birds can carry the disease, but ornithosis is more commonly contracted from pet birds, especially decorative birds such as parrots. The primary mode of infection is through inhaling dried droppings that contain the bacterium. When these particles are inhaled into the lungs, they infect the cells of the mucous membranes and cause lung infection. In rare cases, ornithosis can also be contracted by petting a sick bird or through direct contact with the beak or mouth, such as kissing a pet bird.
Anyone who has recently been in contact with birds is at risk of contracting ornithosis.
Ornithosis Symptoms and Progression
The onset of ornithosis symptoms usually occurs 5 to 14 days after exposure to the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. Some individuals experience the disease without showing symptoms. The disease typically presents with symptoms similar to the flu or COVID-19, including fever, headache, and dry cough. Some people may also experience sweating, muscle pain, shortness of breath, and chest pain.
For most healthy adults, ornithosis is mild to moderate and they recover within a week to ten days. However, individuals with weakened immune systems, pregnant women, and the elderly are more likely to experience severe symptoms and develop complications such as pneumonia, myocarditis, and encephalitis.
How to Handle Suspected Ornithosis and Prevent Infection
When Suspecting Ornithosis:
If you experience symptoms similar to the flu, it is important to call a doctor and inform them of any recent contact with birds. The doctor may order a blood test to confirm the diagnosis of ornithosis and prescribe antibiotics to avoid complications.
Stay Safe from Ornithosis
Typically, infected birds exhibit poor appetite, inflamed eyes, difficulty breathing, and diarrhea, but they may appear healthy in some cases. Here’s what you can do to avoid getting infected:
- Limit close contact with birds and wash your hands or face with soap and running water if contact does occur.
- In case a bird pecks or scratches you, thoroughly wash the affected area under running water with soap for at least 5 minutes and treat the wound properly.
- Regularly clean the cages, food and water dishes while wearing a mask and gloves.
- Before cleaning, wet the cage floor with water or disinfectant to prevent dust and feathers from becoming airborne.
- Keep cages spaced apart to prevent feathers and waste from one cage from reaching another.
- Isolate and treat birds that appear to be sick.
Avian Influenza
This disease is caused by strains of the influenza A virus and primarily affects birds. Although rare, it can be transmitted from birds to humans, but human-to-human transmission is almost non-existent.
Avian Influenza: How is it transmitted?
The virus can be found in wild waterfowl and can spread to domestic birds and eventually to humans who handle live birds or process their carcasses. The primary source of the disease is wild geese and ducks.
Who is Most at Risk of Avian Influenza Infection?
The people who are most at risk of getting infected with avian influenza are farmers and workers in poultry farms where an outbreak has occurred. Market sellers and buyers may also become infected if they come into contact with infected birds.
Bird flu is transmitted through the air, for example by inhaling virus particles mixed with bird feces, or by coming into contact with viruses from feathers, carcasses, or surfaces in birdhouses, and then touching the mucous membranes in the mouth or eyes. However, properly cooked eggs or bird products are safe to consume as the viruses are destroyed by heat. Outbreaks of bird flu among domestic birds occur frequently, but not always lead to human outbreaks.
Symptoms of Avian Influenza
The symptoms of avian influenza usually appear 3 to 5 days after infection and mimic those of a common flu. The disease usually lasts for about a week, but people infected with the avian form of the virus often experience a more severe illness than the flu and are more likely to develop complications such as myocarditis and encephalitis.
From 2003 to 2022, 21 countries worldwide have reported 865 cases of human infection with the H5N1 bird flu virus, with roughly half of the infected individuals losing their lives. Children under 5 years of age, pregnant women, the elderly, and individuals with a weakened immune system are more susceptible to the disease and experience more severe symptoms compared to healthy adults.
Suspecting Avian Influenza
If you suspect that you may have avian influenza, it’s important to take action. Although the likelihood of getting bird flu is low, even for individuals who have frequent contact with birds, it’s important to remember that a regular flu can also be dangerous. If you experience symptoms similar to the flu, call a doctor and follow their advice and recommendations.
Preventing Bird Flu Infection
To avoid the spread of bird flu, it is crucial to steer clear of wild and domestic birds that display signs of weakness, loss of appetite, diarrhea, and swelling of the head. If avoiding contact with these birds is not possible, one must take necessary precautions such as wearing gloves, rubber boots, a mask, and protective glasses while interacting with them. After any bird-related activities, it is important to change clothes, wash hands thoroughly with soap and water, and avoid touching the face and eyes until this is done.
Tourists visiting Asian countries, which are commonly affected by bird flu outbreaks, should avoid visiting farms and markets where live birds are traded. When cooking birds and eggs, make sure to do so properly – cook the bird to an internal temperature of +74°C and boil eggs for 8-10 minutes from the moment the water boils.
Salmonellosis
Every year, the Salmonella genus causes a common gastrointestinal infectious disease in one out of ten people globally.
Routes of Salmonellosis Transmission
Both humans and birds can contract salmonellosis through the fecal-oral route. Most human infections occur after consuming undercooked food, unboiled water, or unpasteurized milk. Birds, on the other hand, can become infected indirectly by consuming improperly prepared meat or directly if the salmonellae infect the chicken ovaries and enter the eggs. Eating raw or undercooked eggs can lead to salmonellosis, as well as coming into contact with birds or objects contaminated with bird feces and touching one’s mouth or eyes with unwashed hands after petting the bird.
Vulnerable Populations for Salmonellosis.
Anyone can contract salmonellosis from interacting with wild or domestic birds or consuming undercooked bird meat or eggs. However, certain groups of people are more susceptible to the disease and experience more severe symptoms, including:
- Children under 5 years of age
- Elderly individuals over 65 years of age
- People with weakened immune systems
It is important to note that healthy adults without chronic illnesses are less likely to experience severe symptoms compared to these vulnerable populations.
Identifying the Symptoms of Salmonellosis
Not everyone with salmonellosis experiences symptoms, but for those who do, they typically occur 8-72 hours after infection. The symptoms of salmonellosis resemble those of a gastrointestinal infection and may include:
- A temperature rise to +38°C or higher
- Weakness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Abdominal cramps
- Diarrhea with watery and greenish stools (due to the quick movement of food through the colon and insufficient time for bile to turn brown)
What to do if you suspect Salmonellosis
If you suspect that you have contracted salmonellosis, it is important to take certain steps to manage the illness. Most people recover without treatment within a week, with the fever subsiding within 48-72 hours and diarrhea lasting 4-10 days. During this time, it is recommended to:
- Drink clean water
- Eat small portions
- Rest
However, if symptoms persist for three days or if a child, pregnant woman, or individual over 65 years old is affected, it is crucial to see a doctor as soon as possible to avoid dehydration. Early medical intervention can help manage symptoms and prevent complications.
Preventing Salmonellosis: Essential Food Safety Measures
To protect yourself from salmonellosis, it’s important to practice good food hygiene when preparing and storing poultry and eggs. Here are the steps you should take:
- Cook poultry to a minimum internal temperature of +74°C.
- Boil eggs for 8-10 minutes, until the whites and yolks are firm.
- Store poultry and eggs in the refrigerator, separate from other foods.
- Use a separate cutting board for meat products.
- Wash your hands before and after food preparation, after using the toilet, and before eating.
In addition, it’s important to wash your hands with soap and running water after any contact with wild or domestic birds and surfaces that may have been contaminated with their excrement, even if the birds appear healthy. Remember, not all birds infected with salmonellosis show signs of weakness or illness.
E. coli infection
Approximately 2.8 million people annually contract a common infectious gastrointestinal disease caused by pathogenic varieties of the bacterium Escherichia coli, or E. coli.
How E. coli Infections Spread: Understanding the Fecal-Oral Route
Pathogenic E. coli can reside in the digestive tract of birds without causing any harm, but if it enters the human body, it can lead to illness. People can get infected with E. coli through the fecal-oral route, commonly by consuming contaminated food, water, or milk that was not properly prepared or pasteurized. Additionally, touching birds or contaminated objects and then touching one’s mouth or eyes with unwashed hands can also result in infection. Birds can contract E. coli by consuming undercooked meat, which can then spread the bacteria to humans.
Risk Factors for E. coli Infections: Who is More Susceptible?
Anyone who has come into contact with wild or domestic birds or consumed undercooked poultry meat is at risk of getting infected with E. coli. However, certain groups of people are more vulnerable to the disease and have a harder time fighting it off, including children under 5 years old, elderly individuals over 65 years old, and individuals with weakened immune systems. These populations are more likely to get infected and experience more severe symptoms compared to healthy adults.
E. coli: Identifying High-Risk Populations
Anyone who has come into contact with wild or domestic birds or consumed undercooked poultry meat is at risk of contracting E. coli. However, some populations are more susceptible to the disease and face more severe symptoms, including children under 5 years old, elderly individuals over 65 years old, and those with weakened immune systems. These groups are more likely to get infected and have a harder time fighting off the illness compared to healthy adults.
Recognizing the Symptoms of E. coli Infections
People are commonly infected with the pathogenic E. coli O157:H7 gut rod from birds, which can cause severe symptoms within 1-10 days after ingestion. These symptoms include intense stomach cramps, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, often accompanied by blood. Some individuals may also experience a rise in temperature to +38.5°C. It is important to seek medical attention if these symptoms occur after potential exposure to E. coli.
Taking Action in Suspected E. coli Cases
While healthy adults may recover from diarrhea caused by E. coli without treatment within 1-8 days, it is important to take the potential progression of the disease into account. E. coli can quickly lead to dehydration and, in 5-10% of children and elderly individuals, can result in the development of a dangerous complication known as hemolytic-uremic syndrome. This syndrome involves the destruction of red blood cells and kidney failure.
Therefore, if gastroenteritis persists for more than three days or if symptoms occur in children, pregnant women, or individuals over 65 years old, it is crucial to seek medical attention as soon as possible. Early intervention can help prevent the disease from progressing and reduce the risk of complications.
Avoiding Escherichia coli Infection
Preventing infection with E. coli can be achieved by following proper food handling and hygiene practices:
- Cook poultry to a minimum internal temperature of 74°C
- Store poultry separately from other products in the refrigerator
- Use separate cutting boards for meat products
- Wash your hands before and after food preparation, after using the bathroom, and before eating.
To prevent infection from wild or domestic birds, it is important to wash your hands with soap and running water after any contact with birds or surfaces contaminated by bird droppings. This is important even if the birds appear healthy and clean, as not all infected birds show signs of being sick.
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