Diseases Associated with Pest Birds

Chlamydiosis

There are two similar diseases which are both influenza type viruses.  The one most commonly found is transmitted by birds such as pigeons and is known as Ornithosis. Although more like a flu-type disease, it should be noted that fatalities can occur just as with other influenza viruses.

Cryptococcosis

This is a very serious illness. It begins as a lung infection but can progress to the meninges of the brain causing Meningitis.

Campylobacter 

This is brought about by the contamination of food sources usually by corvids such as magpies that have been infected by carrion. This can result in extreme forms of gastroenteritis.

Salmonellosis

This is present in upwards of 90% of feral pigeons and slightly lesser percentages in the starling.

Extrinsic Allergic Alveolitis

This is more commonly known as "pigeon fancier's lung".  It is a serious allergic state that can only be remedied by the removal of birds and associated matter.

Erysipelas

This is a serious wound infection, which may be brought about by the transmission of streptococcus pyrogenes that may enter minor wounds from the debris of birds’ environment.

Escherichia Coli (E. Coli)

This is contracted orally by ingesting food or water contaminated with a pathogenic strain shed by an infected person or animal.  Research at Lancaster University has linked its spread to gulls.

Types of Diseases Associated with Pest Birds

Bacterial such as Salmonellosis
Viral such as Meningitis
Fungal such as Cryptococcosis
Protozoal such as Toxoplasmosis

To control pest birds and remove bird fouling contact Peter Cox

Health Hazards of Pest Birds

For property owners bird control can be very difficult, especially in concentrated urban populations.

Without effective bird control, birds can cause a variety of problems, including:

·       Damage to buildings (including blockage of rainwater systems)

·       Property defacement (especially architectural features)

·       Health hazards (from bird diseases such as ornithosis, cryptococcosis)

·       Accident hazards (people could slip on droppings or guano)

·       Personal safety hazards

·       Increased Maintenance Costs

·       Loss of goodwill

Urban pest birds promote the transmission of many types of disease infections and illnesses. Buildings infested with pest birds place at risk the building occupants, customers and maintenance workers. These nuisance birds: pigeons, starlings, house sparrows and nuisance gulls, to mention only a few, transmit disease in four ways:

• Food and water contaminated with faeces;
• Inhalation of contaminated dust;
• Transference by parasites associated with nuisance birds, i.e., fleas, ticks, mites and other ectoparasites;
• Direct contact with faeces.

Numerous cases of food poisoning such as Salmonellosis occur every year. Food poisoning is caused by the Salmonella bacterium getting into left out food. A main source of the Salmonella bacteria is dried faecal dust from air vents covered in bird droppings.

Nuisance birds harbour ticks, fleas, mites and other ectoparasites, which live on these birds; in their nests and in places they roost. These parasites are responsible for the transmission of several hundred viral and bacterial agents. These diseases include those highlighted above. Control of these parasites is a crucial phase of containing health hazards to humans.

The final, and most rare, manner of transmitting any of these diseases is through direct contact with faeces. This situation arises when people get faecal dust or droppings in an open wound or open cut when cleaning or repairing an area contaminated with them.

Infection can occur locally at the location of the wound or, in serious cases, infection within the bloodstream can also occur. Proper Personal Protective Equipment and intrinsic care must always be taken when cleaning and disinfecting a bird site or installing bird control systems. For more about effective solutions for bird control http://www.petercox.com/commercial-bird-deterrence.php