Diseases Seagulls and Pigeons Carry and Spread
Did you know?
Pest birds, their droppings and their nesting materials can carry over 60 diseases and ectoparasites transmittable to humans and animals?
The elderly, young and those with weakened immune systems are most at risk of catching these diseases.
Pest birds can block chimneys, flutes and guttering from their nesting. These blockages can cause issues with carbon monoxide and water overflow from gutters. It is common to find parasites such as mites, ticks, fleas and beetles in their nests. So, if you don’t solve your pigeon or gull problem quick, you may find you might suffer from a parasite infestation too.
Diseases Associated with Pest Birds
Viruses
Bird Flu (avian influenza) is a contagious viral disease of birds. All birds are thought to be susceptible to the virus, and symptoms can vary from mild illness to fatality. There are many different types of the virus.
One of these subtypes, known as H5N1, has caused severe outbreaks in poultry and deaths in humans.
Did you know?
There have been 170 human cases of this virus spread from pest birds reported to the World Health Organization to date, 92 which have died.
It is believed that human infections so far have occurred as a result of direct contact with infected birds. The virus can spread through ingestion or inhalation and can remain viable in droppings for prolonged periods.
Other viruses spread by pest birds:
Bacteria
Did you know?
There are more bacterial organisms associated with pest birds that affect human health than all other disease-causing organisms?
Types of bacteria spread by pest birds
Fungi
Contact usually occurs through air handling systems, contaminated clothing and spores become airborne. Species most associated are pigeons, blackbirds and starlings.
Ectoparasites
Found on the body or in nesting materials.
Our employees’ health is very important to us at Central Pest Control. We aim to minimize the risks that could encounter as bird control work is being carried out.
As a precaution all of our staff wear suitable Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) when working with bird infestations, in particular bird droppings removal. For avoiding the risk of infection when working with poultry that it is suspected of having highly pathogenic avian influenza, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) advocate a minimum level of PPE.
For further information, please contact us!
There are more than 110 pathogens reportedly carried by pigeons, and there is plenty of research to suggest other wild birds pass on diseases to humans.
Some of the more common diseases and pathogens that birds can spread:
Air-borne diseases | Food-borne disease |
Chlamydia psittaci (Ornithosis) | Salmonella spp. |
Cryptococcus neoformans | Escherichia coli |
Histoplasma capsulatum | Campylobacter jejuni |
Allergenic particles (bird fancier’s lung) | Listeria monocytogenes |
Vibrio cholerae |
In 2019, two patients died in a Glasgow hospital who had contracted a cryptococcal fungal infection which was subsequently linked to pigeon droppings.
Diseases can be transmitted from bird droppings and the birds themselves.