ZOONOSES OF BIRDS
*Wearing the recommended personal protective equipment will make the transmission of diseases less likely.
PATHOGEN
TRANSMISSION
Cryptosporidium spp.

Aspergillosis
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Chlamydia psittaci
(Psittacosis)

Cryptococcus
neoformas
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Mites
(Dermanyssus spp.,
Ornithonyssus spp.)
Influenza

Fowl Cholera
(Pasteurella spp.)
Mycobacterium spp.

ANIMAL DISEASE
HUMAN DISEASE
Direct contact, fecaloral, inhalation
Direct contact
Dnhalation
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dysnea, cough, stunted growth, diarrhea
may have high mortality
fever, anorexia, respiratory distress
diarrhea, emaciation, high mortality


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immunocompromised patients are highly
susceptible to severe, persistent diarrhea
bronchopneumonia
more severe in debilitated patients
Inhaling aerosolized
respiratory secretions
or contact with feces
Inhalation
Contact with open
wound
Direct contact

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usually subclinical
conjuctivitis is most common sign
pleuritis, diarrhea
subclinical

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usually mild respiratory illness
fever, chills, muscle ache, pneumonia
very severe in the elderly, can be fatal
cutaneous lesions
meningitis

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anemia, alopecia, erythema
dirty plumage

painful bites: erythema, edema, allergic
dermatitis

anorexia, coughing, sinusitis, edema,
cyanosis, neurologic signs, diarrhea
acute septicemia, edema, cyanosis
problem results from poor hygiene
progressive diarrhea, wasting, lameness


Direct contact,
inhalation
Fecal-oral, direct
contact
Iinhalation, ingestion
Newcastle’s Disease
Paramyxovirus
Campylobacter



Aerosolized particles
Infected food or water
Fecal-oral

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anorexia, coughing, sneezing, lacrimation,
sinusitis, fever, muscle aches
wound infection, septic arthritis,
osteomyelitis, bronchitis, pneumonia
pulmonary disease in adults
soft tissue abscesses, ulcers, granulomas
conjunctivitis, fever, respiratory infection

diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever
Salmonella

Fecal-oral

diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever
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anorexia, respiratory disease, neurologic
signs
asymptomatic
diarrhea, anorexia
asymptomatic
diarrhea

References
Acha, PN; B Szyfres. 1989. Zoonoses and Communicable Diseases Common to Man and Animals. Pan American Health Organization, Washington, D.C.
AAAP Manual
Burr, EW. 1987. Companion Bird Medicine. Iowa State University Press, Ames, IA.
1/10/14