Birds

Although birds can spread germs to people, illness caused by touching or owning birds is rare. To best protect yourself from getting sick, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and running water after contact with birds or bird droppings. You may have contact with birds that are kept as pet birds eg budgerigars or with a backyard flock eg geese or from feeding wild birds in your garden.

Here are links to bird-related diseases:

Avian Influenza (Bird Flu) - an infectious disease of birds caused by influenza viruses.

Campylobacter - A bacterial disease associated with all birds, particularly poultry.

Chlamydia psittaci Infection (psittacosis) - A bacterial disease associated with pet birds, including parrots and parakeets.

Cryptococcus Infection (cryptococcosis) - A fungal disease associated with wild-bird droppings

Giardia - A parasitic disease associated with birds

Salmonella Infection (salmonellosis) - A bacterial disease associated with many birds, especially chickens, baby chicks and ducklings

Last updated: 22 January 2019