Bird Diseases
Bird nesting and roosting can create the conditions that allow microorganisms to flourish. Pest birds transmit disease through various avenues. Such diseases can develop from bird feces, roosting sites and debris. Dangerous fungal spores, insects, bacteria and parasites are prevalent in these areas. Common pest birds are pigeons, starlings, sparrows, blackbirds, gulls and crows.
Birds are hosts to numerous parasites such as ticks, fleas, bed bugs, cone-nosed bugs, mites and lice. Not only can these specific parasites be found directly on the birds, but also may be found in the nesting and roosting sites as well. Although these parasites can bite and irritate, they are unlikely to transmit disease to humans.
Birds also play a role as a vector of specific human diseases. A prime example of this is the relationship between birds and mosquitoes, and the spread of the West Nile Virus. The mosquito takes blood from an infected bird and then the same mosquito takes blood from a human, which results in the spread of the disease from bird to human. Other diseases spread by this specific mode of transmission include encephalitis.
Diseases associated with bird droppings are Histoplasmosis, Cryptococcosis, Psittacosis. Accumulations of bird droppings may contain dangerous fungal spores. If these spores are disturbed they may become airborne, and breathing these airborne fungal spores may cause serious respiratory infections.
