Preventing Bird-Borne Diseases
HOW do people get the avian flu? Avian influenza viruses circulate among birds worldwide. Susceptible birds can become infected with avian influenza virus when they have contact with contaminated nasal, respiratory, or fecal material from infected birds. They then shed the virus in their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.
HOW do people get the avian flu? Avian
influenza viruses circulate among
birds worldwide. Susceptible birds can
become infected with avian influenza virus
when they have contact with contaminated
nasal, respiratory, or fecal material from
infected birds. They then shed the virus in
their saliva, nasal secretions, and feces.1
Nearly all of the reported human cases
of the avian flu have involved contact with
infected birds: butchering or plucking
chickens, eating undercooked poultry, or
spending time in areas contaminated with
the blood or droppings of birds.2 Other
bird-borne diseases are ingested by
breathing airborne spores of bird feces.
Entomologist research has found more
than 60 transmittable diseases and dangerous
parasitic organisms that can be
fatal to some people and cause others to
fall ill. When dried-out droppings are disturbed,
a cloud of airborne dust carries
microorganisms into the lungs, causing
inhalation diseases such as histoplasmosis,
which is the most common of the diseases
associated with pest birds. Eating or
drinking foods that have come into contact
with bird-related bacteria can cause
ingestion diseases, such as toxoplasmosis
and query fever.3West Nile virus has been
detected in dead birds of at least 138
species. Although infected birds—particularly
crows and jays—can die or become
ill, most infected birds do survive.4
What can someone do to stay safe?
Because we can’t easily know which birds
or animals are infected with disease, care
should be taken when in a potentially
risky situation. Use gloves when picking
up dead birds or mammals, or grab the
carcass with a plastic bag and then invert
it to the inside of the bag. Contact your
county or state health department. If these
personnel want the dead bird or animal,
they will make arrangements to come get
it. If not, it’s best to double bag it in plastic
and put it in the trash.5
BIRD-BORNE DISEASES
|
¦ Avian Flu
¦ Fowl Typhoid
¦ Infectious Coryza
¦ Paratyphoid
¦ Salmonellosis
¦ Streptococosis
¦ Tuberculosis
¦ Aspertillosis
¦ Blastomycosis
¦ Cryptococcosis
¦ Histoplasmosis
¦ Trypansomiasis
¦ Toxoplasmosis |
¦ Trichomoniasis
¦ Chlamydiosis
¦ QFever
¦ Encephalitis
¦ Meningitis
¦ Newcastle Disease
¦ Pox
¦ Taeniasis
¦ Dispharyxiasis
¦ Eyeworm
¦ Schistosomiasis
¦ Acariasis |
How can safety managers help? They
can protect employees from the dangers
associated with roosting birds. Whether
on ledges of manufacturing plants or
other work sites or in the rafters of warehouses
of all kinds, bird droppings are a
health hazard that can be alleviated by
using a variety of bird control devices.
When choosing among bird control systems,
follow these steps:
¦ Analyze the problem. Identify the type
and number of birds causing the problem.
Note the areas where they are landing and
roosting. Eliminate food and water
sources if possible. This may be accomplished
by keeping buildings and grounds
free of trash. Make sure all garbage receptacles
and dumpsters are kept closed.
Ground puddles, standing water on roofs,
and clogged gutters are areas that will
attract birds, and they are relatively easy
to eliminate. Other water sources, such as
fountains and ponds, may be difficult to
take away and may need to be protected
with bird netting. Many buildings and
structures located near city parks have
bird problems; it can be helpful to contact
your city and propose a no-feeding ordinance
to help reduce the number of birds
in the area.
¦ Research available products. Choose a
reliable company that offers free technical
support and installation plans. Don’t
make your decision on price alone. Consider
maintenance costs, product lifespan,
and installation costs when comparing
price and value.
¦ Consider using a combination of products
if necessary. The products you choose
depend on the size and number of birds,
the types of areas you wish to protect, and
a host of other factors. “Porcupine wire”
and bird netting are effective, durable, and
economical, providing they are of quality
construction and installed properly. Pin
and wire, non-lethal chemical repellents,
and scare devices have their place in some
situations. Sticky pastes and ultrasonic devices are not recommended.
This article originally appeared in the June 2007 issue of Occupational Health & Safety.