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Birds And Their Droppings Can Carry Over 60 Diseases

When it comes to birds, there may be more than just avian flu to be worried about. It has been suggested that there are over 60 other diseases that birds and their droppings can carry. The problem is especially worrisome in residential areas, as many of them are airborne and can be transferred to humans just by being around droppings.

Chicken farms can be fairly easily secured. With a combination of visual scare devices, sonic distress call emitters, ultrasonic disrupters and roost inhibitors other birds shouldn't be a problem. If farmers just took this preventative action it could help contain the bird flu outbreak a good deal.

Examples of transmissible bird diseases associated with pigeons, geese, starling and house sparrows:

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory disease that may be fatal. It results from a fungus growing in dried bird droppings.

Candidiasis is a yeast or fungus infection spread by pigeons. The disease affects the skin, the mouth, the respiratory system, the intestines and the urogenital tract, especially the vagina. It is a growing problem for women, causing itching, pain and discharge.

Cryptococcosis is caused by yeast found in the intestinal tract of pigeons and starlings. The illness often begins as a pulmonary disease and may later affect the central nervous system. Since attics, cupolas, ledges, schools, offices, warehouses, mills, barns, park buildings, signs, etc. Are typical roosting and nesting sites, the fungus is apt to found in these areas.

St. Louis Encephalitis, an inflammation of the nervous system, usually causes drowsiness, headache and fever. It may even result in paralysis, coma or death. St. Louis encephalitis occurs in all age groups, but is especially fatal to persons over age 60. The disease is spread by mosquitoes which have fed on infected house sparrow, pigeons and house finches carrying the Group B virus responsible for St. Louis encephalitis.

Salmonellosis often occurs as "food poisoning" and can be traced to pigeons, starlings and sparrows. The disease bacteria are found in bird droppings; dust from droppings can be sucked through ventilators and air conditioners, contaminating food and cooking surfaces in restaurants, homes and food processing plants.

E.Coli. Cattle carry E. Coli 0157:H7. When birds peck on cow manure, the E. Coli go right through the birds and the bird droppings can land on or in a food or water supply.

Besides being direct carriers of disease, nuisance birds are frequently associated with over 50 kinds of ectoparasites, which can work their way throughout structures to infest and bite humans. About two-thirds of these pests may be detrimental to the general health and well-being of humans and domestic animals. The rest are considered nuisance or incidental pests.

A few examples of ectoparasites include:

Bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) may consume up to five times their own weight in blood drawn from hosts which include humans and some domestic animals. In any extreme condition, victims may become weak and anemic. Pigeons, starlings and house sparrows are known to carry bed bugs.

Chicken mites (Dermanyssus gallinae) are known carriers of encephalitis and may also cause fowl mite dermatitis and acariasis. While they subsist on blood drawn from a variety of birds, they may also attack humans. They have been found on pigeons, starlings and house sparrows.

Yellow mealworms (Tenebrio molitor), perhaps the most common beetle parasites of people in the United States, live in pigeon nests. It is found in grain or grain products, often winding up in breakfast cereals, and may cause intestinal canthariasis and hymenolespiasis.

West Nile Virus while West Nile is technically not transmitted to humans from birds, humans can get infected by the bite of a mosquito who has bitten an infected bird. The obvious lesson is that the fewer birds there are in any given area, the better. This translates into a smaller chance of an infected bird in that area, a smaller chance of a mosquito biting an infected bird and then biting a human.

Avian Influenza Biosecurity Reminders During Spring Wild Bird Migration

Spring migration is underway and increasing numbers of wild birds will be found in our skies, trees, fields and waters.

There are four major flyways across the United States. Flyways are north-south routes commonly used by migratory birds when traveling between breeding grounds in the north and wintering grounds in the south. Pennsylvania is within the Atlantic flyway, the easternmost route.

The number of birds flying overhead in Spring is highest from March to May, though Pennsylvania also sees early migrating flocks of snow and Canada geese before then. Those two goose species, along with other waterfowl, predatory birds, vultures, and many species of songbirds, use the flyway every season.

Wild bird avian influenza sampling is helping researchers pinpoint when and where production poultry is most at risk. But, like always, biosecurity is most critical for keeping birds healthy.

While beautiful to watch, migrations bring an elevated risk of avian diseases because of the large number of wild birds passing through. Highly pathogenic avian influenza is of greatest concern, but wild birds also carry other diseases and parasites that can significantly impact domestic poultry health and production. Producers should understand these risks and maintain or improve their biosecurity efforts to protect their flocks.

Keep poultry in an enclosure with four walls and a roof. Roaming poultry are at risk of injury from vehicles, predators and people. They are also more likely to encounter harmful parasites and diseases in the environment or from direct contact with wild birds.

A solid roof not only decreases the risk of aerial predators entering the enclosure but also blocks droppings from birds flying overhead. Be cautious if removing wild bird droppings from structures. Spraying them with water can spread manure particles and pathogens to other surfaces and poultry areas. Allowing droppings to dry out in place before removal will reduce the risk of pathogen activity and spread of disease.

Discourage wild birds from visiting poultry premises. Use good stormwater management practices to prevent standing water on the property that could attract waterfowl. Unnecessary ponds or water features near poultry premises are not recommended.

Avoid placing bird feeders and bird baths in or near poultry areas. Clean up any spilled bird seed or feed that may attract waterfowl, rodents or pest insects that pose a risk to poultry. Screens on windows, fans, and doors help prevent small birds, such as starlings and sparrows, and pests from directly entering poultry structures.

Avian influenza has the potential to be a catastrophic disease in poultry, especially in turkeys and mature chickens and practicing biosecurity is key to preventing further spread and contamination.

Approved deterrents may be used to keep wild waterfowl, predators, scavengers, and nuisance songbirds from poultry areas. These may include sound makers, laser systems and other methods. Some nuisance wild birds may require more active measures, such as hunting. Always contact your local Game Commission or USDA Wildlife Services before taking these actions. Many migratory bird species are federally protected, and it is unlawful to harm or take wild birds and their parts without permits.

Know your local contacts for reporting sick or dead wild birds and domestic poultry.

Each state has a USDA Wildlife Services office that can help with nuisance wildlife. Those contacts can be found on their website or by calling 866-4USDA-WS. State Game Commissions also play a role in wild bird disease response efforts. The Pennsylvania Game Commission can be reached to report sick or dead wild birds at 833-PGC-WILD. Do not approach or handle sick or dead birds. Your local Wildlife Services or Game Commission representative will collect birds for testing or provide instructions on how to proceed.

If you suspect avian influenza in your poultry flock, it should be considered an emergency. Do not wait to seek help. USDA can be reached toll-free at 1-866-536-7593. For Pennsylvania producers, the 24-hour hotline for the on-call veterinarian can be reached at 717-772-2852, option 1.

Biosecurity is crucial, no matter how high the risk level is. Have an approved biosecurity plan in place that works for your operation and follow it every time. Cleaning and disinfecting fomites, such as boots and vehicles, and other surfaces when entering and leaving poultry areas are essential for preventing disease transmission.

Penn State Extension maintains an avian influenza webpage and has several articles covering poultry health and diseases. The faculty and educators on our poultry team are also happy to answer questions and help producers with their biosecurity plans. Contact your county's Penn State Extension office to be connected to a member of our team.

Ashley Bigge is a Penn State Extension poultry educator in Adams County.

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Birds Breathe In Dangerous Plastics -- And So Do We

Microscopic plastic pollutants drifting through the air are lodging in the lungs of birds, a new University of Texas at Arlington study finds. Researchers worldwide are increasingly alarmed by how pervasive these harmful particles are in the air humans breathe and the food they eat.

Shane DuBay, an assistant professor of biology at UTA and co-author of the study published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, said birds were chosen for the study because they are found in almost every corner of the world and often share environments with humans.

"Birds serve as important indicators of environmental conditions," said DuBay, who collaborated with researchers from Sichuan University and Chengdu Tianfu International Airport, both in Chengdu, China. "They help us understand the state of the environment and make informed decisions about conservation and pollution control."

DuBay's team studied 56 different wild birds from 51 distinct species, all sampled from the Tianfu airport in western China. They collected lung samples from each bird and performed two types of chemical analyses.

They used laser direct infrared technology to detect and count microplastics in the birds' lungs. Pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass-spectrometry helped identify even smaller nanoplastics, which can enter the lungs through the bloodstream. Together, the tests allowed scientists to measure the amount of plastic in the birds' lungs and determine the specific types of plastics present.

The study found high concentrations of microplastics in bird lungs, with an average of 221 particles per species and 416 particles per gram of lung tissue. The most common types identified were chlorinated polyethylene, used for insulating pipes and wires, and butadiene rubber, a synthetic material in tires.

While no official "safe" level of plastic particles in lung tissue exists, high levels of microplastics have been linked to serious health conditions, including heart disease, cancer, respiratory problems and fertility issues.

"Our research highlights an urgent need to address plastic pollution in our environments, as these contaminants can have far-reaching impacts on ecosystem health, as well as human health," DuBay said. "Our findings call for further research, funding and action to mitigate the harmful effects of plastic pollution and ensure a healthier environment."

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