At all times, keeping and breeding chickens has been a very popular activity. This is how it is now.

Like all living beings, these birds are susceptible to various diseases, which is one of the main problems of chicken farming. Ideally, it is better to prevent a disease than to treat it, and for this purpose preventive measures should be taken. But sometimes even they are not effective. Therefore, to successfully combat chicken diseases, both experienced and novice farmers must have a sufficient understanding of them.

This material covers most common diseases that can affect chicken stock: clinical picture, modern diagnostic and treatment methods, as well as effective preventive measures.

How to recognize that a chicken is sick?

In order to recognize the disease in time, you should regularly inspect the chicken population and constantly monitor them.

Inspecting the bird you need to pay attention to:

If you do find pets that can be assumed to have some kind of disease - isolate them from others and keep watching. Ideally, you should take the animal to a veterinarian.

The main groups of diseases to which domestic chickens are susceptible

Diseases that affect chickens are divided into two large groups: contagious (transmitted from bird to bird) and non-contagious (not transmitted).

Pullorosis or typhus- a disease transmitted by airborne droplets. Affects birds of all age groups. The gastrointestinal tract suffers: the animal has a lack of appetite and constant thirst. The bird is apathetic and lethargic. The ridge sags and turns pale, and tachypnea (rapid breathing) is observed.

The main condition for the treatment of this pathology is a quick diagnosis. Sick chickens are given antibiotics of the aminoglycoside group (neomycin, biomycin) or penicillins (ampicillin) with water. Intramuscular administration of these drugs is possible.

For preventative purposes, hygiene should be maintained in the chicken coop. If an outbreak of pullorosis occurs, sick birds should be isolated and the chicken coop should be disinfected.

Pseudoplague (Newcastle disease)- a viral infection transmitted by airborne droplets. Sources of infection are sick animals, their food and water. The disease affects the nervous and respiratory systems, and the gastrointestinal tract. The bird has poor coordination of movements (shaky gait, constantly falls on its stomach), mucus accumulates in the mouth. The chicken is forced to breathe with its beak open, and distant wheezing is heard when breathing. No appetite, profuse diarrhea.

This disease cannot be cured. Chickens with such symptoms should be immediately isolated, killed and burned.

If this is not done, then you can lose your entire chicken population. To prevent pseudoplague, it is necessary to timely disinfect the chicken coop and vaccinate the birds.

A viral pathology that often affects domestic chickens. Its main symptom is the presence of ulcers on the skin (pockmarks). Infection occurs through contact. The source could be:

• a sick laying hen or other pet,
• feed,
• water.

The target of the virus is the cornea and internal organs. The main condition is to start treatment at the initial stage of the disease. External lesions are treated with antiseptics: boric acid solution or furatsilin. Tetracycline is added to food for 7-10 days. If the disease could not be recognized at the initial stage, then all infected birds must be disposed of.

Salmonellosis- the causative agents of this infection are pathogenic strains of Salmonella. Progressing rapidly, the disease affects all chicken organs. Laying hens become infected through feed and water. The main symptom of this disease is profuse, loose and foamy stools. Sick animals are lethargic, there is no appetite, but there is thirst. The joints of the limbs are swollen.

If domestic chickens suffer from salmonellosis, eating raw eggs is strictly prohibited, since they are the main source of human infection with salmonellosis. These bacteria die only after prolonged heat treatment.

Treatment of this infectious pathology is carried out within 21 days. At this time, furazolidone is added to the chickens' drink. Streptomycin can be given with food. To prevent the spread of infection, sick individuals must be isolated. It is necessary to treat the chicken coop with disinfectants. To avoid salmonellosis, birds must be vaccinated.

Tuberculosis- a bacterial infection transmitted by airborne droplets. Caused by human and avian strains of Mycobacteria. The disease occurs when birds are kept in unsanitary conditions. A sick laying hen is lethargic, drowsy, with a pale comb. An important sign is the absence of eggs. Animals are actively losing weight.

It is not possible to cure this infection, so sick animals must be disposed of. For preventive purposes, it is necessary to constantly maintain cleanliness in the chicken coop.

Ornithosis (psittacosis)- a particularly dangerous disease that affects the nervous, respiratory and digestive systems of chickens. Poultry become infected through airborne droplets or the fecal-oral route. They lose their appetite and become emaciated, defecating liquid droppings. The main symptom is heavy, hoarse breathing and feathers sticking together. Also, the following sign may indicate ornithosis: mucus is released from the bird’s nose.

Treatment consists of watering the birds with water containing potassium permanganate and antibiotic therapy with tetracycline or fluoroquinolone drugs. Contact but apparently healthy chickens should also be given antibiotics for two days as a preventive measure. The chicken coop and all equipment must be disinfected.

Colinfection (colisepticemia) - a disease caused by Escherichia coli bacteria. The disease occurs due to non-compliance with the sanitary and hygienic regime in the place where chickens are kept. A laying hen can also become infected through feed of questionable quality. An alarming symptom is lethargy and loss of appetite against the background of increasing thirst. Breathing is hoarse and heavy. A characteristic sign of co-infection is a significant increase in body temperature.

Treatment consists of timely diagnosis and immediate antibiotic therapy. For these purposes, furazolidone and ampicillin are used.

Chicken flu- a viral disease that affects the respiratory and digestive systems. The disease is transmitted by airborne droplets. The main symptom is difficult to identify. A sick laying hen becomes lethargic, loses her appetite, and her earrings and comb turn blue. Along with this, difficult noisy breathing and significant loosening of the stool are observed. There is no cure for this infection! Sick birds are destroyed.

Coccidiosis- a disease caused by protozoan coccidia, which does not spare either adults or young individuals. Chickens can not only get sick, but also be asymptomatic carriers of the infection. The disease affects the gastrointestinal tract and its main symptom is loose, bloody stools. In addition, loss of appetite and general asthenia of animals are observed. Birds become infected through poor-quality food. When the first symptoms appear, the disease spreads like lightning. If measures are not taken, the entire livestock may die. Therefore, animals with manifestations of coccidiosis should be isolated as quickly as possible.

To prevent coccidiosis in the chicken coop, it is necessary to maintain a sanitary and hygienic regime and avoid dampness. Pet food must meet the required quality standards.

Helminthiasis

A group of diseases that are caused by helminths (worms). They are classified as contagious diseases.

At an early stage, the disease responds well to treatment with phenothiazine. In advanced stages, treatment does not make sense.

Cestodosis- a disease caused by a tapeworm. Its symptoms include seizures and weight loss. Infection occurs through low-quality food. The drug Filixan is used for treatment.

They are considered contagious, but pose less danger than infectious ones. Their treatment almost always ends in recovery, but if they are ignored, the sick animal may die. Infection occurs through contact of chickens with sick brothers.

Ringworm- affects the feather cover and skin of birds. Pale yellow lesions appear on the comb and catkins. Later, feathers begin to fall off and stool upset occurs, then body weight rapidly drops. Unfortunately, there is no point in treating this disease. A preventive measure is to keep the bird house clean.

Aspergillosis- a disease caused by mold and affecting the respiratory tract.

• Chickens cough and sneeze and their breathing is noisy.
• Nasal discharge and bloody excrement appear.

This pathology can be cured with the help of copper sulfate, which must be added to the water and food of birds for several days.

Effective and quite old is method of treating chickens' homes with dust. But this is a dubious method, because due to its toxicity, dust can cause the death of animals.

You can get a more clear and complete picture of chicken diseases, their prevention and treatment by watching this video.

To notice the first signs of disease, it is necessary to regularly and carefully examine the bird. With infections and inflammations, appetite, activity and gait are disrupted, and feathers become ruffled. Healthy birds do not waddle or roll over on their sides, but sick birds may fall or simply lie down a lot, and this is typical for all ailments, not just leg diseases.

IMPORTANT! If a sick bird is discovered, it must be isolated (especially important in case of infectious pathologies). This will reduce the likelihood of infection of the livestock.

Do they get rabies?

Domestic birds and birds of prey are susceptible to this pathology; therefore, they suffer from rabies. Infection can occur through contact with other sick animals. Roosters and geese that carry the virus also pose a danger to humans - they transmit rabies through blows with their beaks. Birds of prey are most susceptible to the disease.. What are the characteristics of rabies in birds?

1. The incubation period depends on the breed. For geese and owls it is 14 days, and for domestic chickens it is up to 40.
2. The sick bird has a depressed state, lack of coordination, and rolls over on its back. Later paralysis of the limbs, exhaustion and death develop.
3. In the spontaneous form of infection, aggressive behavior is manifested. This is a rapid progression that ends in death within 2-3 days.

Symptoms, treatment and photos

Only a veterinarian can establish an accurate diagnosis and prescribe a suitable course of treatment. But the general signs of such diseases will help the poultry farmer to identify the problem by eye. Typical external symptoms of infection include:

• lack of appetite;
• the presence of diarrhea residues in the rear part of the plumage;
• drowsiness, lethargy (the bird sits with its eyes closed and wings folded);
• frequent cleaning of the beak, the appearance of wheezing sounds (to clear the throat).

The course of treatment depends on the specific diagnosis. It is advisable to mix powders, solutions and tablets with food and drink. When using medications, it is important to follow the dosage and timing (see instructions). Regular disinfection of holding areas, walking areas and utility equipment is also required.

Photos of bird diseases:

Newcastle disease

The disease affects the entire body: from the digestive system to the nervous system. The causative agent is viruses that are contained in water, food, and droppings of sick individuals. Characteristic symptoms are clearly expressed only in young animals. In adult birds, the disease occurs without visible signs.

How to determine Newcastle disease:

1. General signs of infection (drowsiness).
2. The chicken moves strangely (walks in a circle). The swallowing reflex disappears.
3. Problems with coordination of movements (falling on the side, throwing back the head).
4. The beak is constantly open. Foul-smelling mucus accumulates in the respiratory organs.

The disease cannot be cured. The optimal solution is to slaughter the livestock, since the disease is contagious. Dead individuals should be burned or buried, and sprinkled with quicklime on top.

Let's watch an interesting video about vaccination against Newcastle disease:

Cartilaginous growth on the tip of the tongue

Another name for the disease of a cartilaginous growth on the tip of the tongue is the pip or horn-like growth of birds. The bird sits alone or tries to hide, does not eat.

The state of the individual is sluggish and boring. A characteristic sign is a constantly open beak (similar to lack of air).

How to treat:

1. It is necessary to carefully trim the tip from the end of the base of the tongue, then remove the growth.
2. Next, the bird needs to be given cow's milk and clean water or pieces of soaked rye bread.

Gumboro

Gumboro is another name for infectious bursal disease of birds. This is a viral, acute disease that affects young animals. Deformation of the bursa of Fabricius, kidneys, and intestines occurs. The causative agent is a life-like virus(stored in poultry houses for up to 122 days). Infection occurs through the feces of infected individuals. The virus is carried by rodents and worms.

The first symptoms are noticeable after 2 days. A typical sign is watery diarrhea and contamination of the feathers around the anus. In case of infection, the poultry house must be isolated and all corpses destroyed. The livestock will be completely replaced with healthy birds.

Only laying hens and young chickens up to 5 months are susceptible to Gumboro disease.. Inside the body at this time, inflammation of the lymphatic system occurs, hemorrhage into the stomach and muscles. Cannot be treated. Death occurs within 3-5 days. Corpses should be burned or buried deeply.

The causative agent of this disease persists in the droppings of sick individuals for 57 days, and on inventory and equipment for up to 120.

Let's watch an interesting video about what Gumboro disease is and how to get vaccinated against this disease:

Eye damage in poultry

Among the main ailments affecting the organ are conjunctivitis, blepharitis (or inflammation of the eyelids), cystosis and abscesses of the eyelids, and panophtholmitis. Signs of severity and therapeutic measures are different:

1. Symptoms of conjunctivitis are swelling and redness of the eyelids, serous infiltrate (fluid). The eyes stick together, the bird scratches them on the perch or with its wings.
2. With panophthalmitis, the cornea becomes cloudy. In advanced cases, bleeding begins and it is destroyed. With this eye disease, birds develop blindness. Antibiotics and disinfectants are used for treatment.
3. Clinical signs of an abscess are a drooping lower eyelid, the presence of a seal. For treatment, the growth is opened, then the wound is treated with antiseptics.

Pathology in parrots

Parrots are also susceptible to various ailments. The causative agents of infectious pathologies can be found in food, water and droppings. Infection can also occur through tick and insect bites.

What diseases are common in parrots?

Roosters

Roosters are characterized by identical diseases of birds:

1. Adults living at home develop typhus (due to lack of water). Treatment involves the administration of antibiotics intramuscularly.
2. Another disease is smallpox. It is one of the most complex infectious pathologies. Roosters experience weakness and rapid weight loss. Individuals cannot swallow food. Furacilin and broad-spectrum antibiotics are used for treatment.

ATTENTION! Roosters are often affected by aspergillosis. With this disease, changes occur in the respiratory system. A clear symptom is a blue beak and sneezing. You can cure it with copper sulfate (add to food).

White muscle disease

With white muscle disease in birds, as it progresses, the muscles of the skeleton and heart change, and the tissues become discolored. There is a high risk of infection if there is a lack of useful elements (selenium, cobalt, iodine). At the onset of progression, increased heart rate and lethargy are noted. Sick birds sit and move with difficulty. Appetite disappears and this causes exhaustion.

The average duration of the disease is 4-8 days. But the bird can die even 3 hours after the onset of symptoms. Treatable only at the initial stage. The sick individual is isolated in a clean, bright room and the diet is changed, microelements are prescribed in ampoules.

Pathogens dangerous to humans

You can become infected with bird diseases that are dangerous to humans either while working with birds or while walking in the park. There are several diseases that pose a threat to human health:

• With salmonellosis, pathogens penetrate the intestines and begin to produce a toxin. Symptoms appear 3-70 hours after infection.
• Parrot disease (ornithosis). Causes symptoms of pneumonia in humans.
• False tuberculosis (yersiniosis). It is expressed by a variety of general toxic symptoms (fever, nausea, diarrhea).
• Campylobacteriosis. Viruses cause illness 2-4 days after entering the body. Features: pain in the lower abdomen, vomiting in the first hours, diarrhea.
• Newcastle disease. The virus enters through the respiratory tract, causing an increase in general temperature. Sometimes accompanied by conjunctivitis. When a child's body is infected, the brain may be affected.

Viral infections

The main symptom of this group of diseases is high temperature, which affects the general condition. Mucus appears in the respiratory tract, and the individual makes wheezing sounds. Infections are also often accompanied by diarrhea and complete loss of appetite.

Why do chickens sneeze and wheeze?

When poultry is sick, it is not common for chickens to sneeze and wheeze. Coughing, sneezing, wheezing are signs of infection in the body. This sound is not a disease, but an accompanying symptom. So why do birds wheeze?

What to do in case of infection?

Some pathologies can pose a danger to human life. At the first signs of infection, the bird owner is required to take a number of actions:

1. Report the disease to your local veterinarian (within 24 hours).
2. Do not allow strangers into the isolated room with sick birds.
3. Do not dispose of corpses and objects with which infected individuals have had contact in public dumps.
4. Provide the veterinarian with full access for research.

If necessary, specialists carry out disinfection and complete elimination of sick birds.

Prevention

Prevention of various pathologies will take less effort and money than further treatment:

• Before placing individuals in the poultry house, it needs to be prepared: cleaned of old litter, removed droppings, washed and whitewashed the walls. A solution of caustic soda (2%), formalin, creolin, and bleach is suitable for disinfecting a room.

IMPORTANT! Bedding should be laid 1-2 days before the birds are replanted. Its thickness should not be less than 6 cm in summer and 15 cm in winter.

Poultry diseases appear due to the penetration of harmful microorganisms into the body. Regular disinfection is important for prevention., proper care and a balanced diet. If sick birds are detected, their isolation and elimination is required - this is a prerequisite for reducing the risk of an epidemic among the livestock.

Poultry farmers, no matter for what purpose and what number of birds they keep, they must understand that there are some diseases that can be transmitted from birds to humans. In most cases, these diseases do not pose a serious danger to humans, so this circumstance should not frighten people who are planning to start a feathered farm. As they say in such cases, informed means forearmed.

Diseases transmitted from animals to humans, are called zoonoses. The causative agents of these diseases can be protozoa, fungi, bacteria, chlamydia and viruses. Each person’s individual susceptibility to them depends on the state of the immune system, age, health status and other factors.

The ability of a microorganism to cause disease the condition in humans depends on its virulence, dose and route of infection.

The most common infections are: chlamydia, salmonellosis, arizonosis and colibacillosis. Chlamydia, salmonellosis, encephalitis and avian tuberculosis can cause fatal illness in humans.

Chlamydia

Chlamydiapsittaci, an unusual bacteria-like organism, is ubiquitous and affects more than 100 species of birds. It causes a disease called psittacosis or parrot fever when it occurs in psittaciformes and psittacosis when it is diagnosed in other bird species or in humans.

In Europe, ducks and geese are most often susceptible to psittacosis, and in the USA, turkeys, pigeons and parrots. Some species, such as turkeys, are very sensitive to chlamydia, while others (chickens) are more resistant.

A sick bird plays the role of a reservoir of the disease and a person is affected as a result of inhaling dust, which includes particles of droppings. The microorganism is released into the environment, both in droppings and in nasal secretions. The bird can remain a carrier for years. Chlamydia can be transmitted from bird to bird, from bird to person, and from person to person through saliva.

Chlamydia is an occupational disease of people working with parrots, pigeons, in turkey slaughterhouses and diagnostic laboratories for avian diseases.

The incubation period of chlamydia is 4-15 days, with an average of 10 days. A sick bird has diarrhea, cough, and discharge from the nose and eyes. A large mortality rate of birds is possible if the disease is not diagnosed and treated in time. Turkeys have reduced egg production. In humans, chlamydia manifests itself as a fever and respiratory illness. Usually, chills, muscle and joint pain, headache, cough, loss of appetite and chest pain begin unexpectedly. Complications may be associated with an enlarged spleen, inflammation of the heart muscles and decreased cardiac activity.

A sick bird should be treated with chlortetracycline or another broad-spectrum antibiotic for 45 days to completely get rid of the infection. Pigeons and turkeys may take longer to completely clear the disease.

A sick person is given tetracycline for at least 21 days. Since this antibiotic can bind to certain minerals in the body, it is recommended to reduce the calcium content in food during treatment.

In the United States, if a person is suspected of having psittacosis, they must notify the authorities within 48 hours.

Salmonellosis

There are about 200 different serotypes of Salmonella. Most animals are susceptible to this infection. This bacterial disease usually appears when the animal is stressed. Common clinical signs in all animals include diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. The infection can progress towards dehydration, weakness, and sometimes, especially in the case of very young or very old individuals, death. Severe cases may include high fever, septicemia (blood poisoning), headaches, and an enlarged, painful spleen. Focal infections can occur in a variety of organs, including the heart, kidneys, ligaments, soft membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord, and connective tissues surrounding all the bones of the body.

The incubation period is 12-36 hours.

Salmonella is spread by eating food contaminated with droppings. The shedding of bacteria by a sick person can last from several days to several weeks. In some cases (eg S. typhi, Typhoid fever) infected people can shed the bacteria for the rest of their lives. S.enteriditis, which is found in bird droppings, can penetrate the egg shell and be present in fresh eggs.

In most cases, treatment for salmonellosis comes down to simply taking various fluids and electrolytes. Antibiotics such as chloamphenicol, nitrofurans, or ampicillin are prescribed only when the bacteria are localized in various organs outside the digestive system.

As with psittacosis, salmonellosis in the United States is classified as a zoonotic disease and if the disease is suspected, it must be reported to authorities within 48 hours.

Arizonaosis

The disease is caused by bacteria SalmonellaArizona. Distributed everywhere. This infection often occurs in reptiles and birds, but almost all animals are sensitive to it. The high-risk category includes young individuals.

In most bird species S.arizona causes a decrease in egg productivity and hatchability. Replacement young animals with arizonosis are characterized by weakness, anorexia (lack of appetite) and tremor. Waste due to disease in turkeys, chickens and canaries can reach up to 60%. In humans, the disease usually manifests itself in the form of diarrhea. People with weakened immune systems may experience septicemia.

The incubation period is 12-36 hours. Transmission of infection occurs through droppings, but can also be through eggs. An infected bird can serve as a carrier for a long time. Numerous antibiotics reduce poultry mortality, but cannot completely clear the host of the infection.

Arizonanosis is not a countable zoonotic disease.

Colibacillosis

Colibacillosis is caused by Escherichia coli Escherichiacoli. E.coli- It is a bacterium that is present in the digestive tract of all animals. There are a number of species of this bacterium, specific to different animal species. Not all species are pathogenic. In birds E.coli can cause septicemia, chronic respiratory disease, synovitis (inflammation of the ligaments that can lead to lameness), pericarditis (inflammation of the sac around the heart) and salpingitis (inflammation of the ovary). In humans, colibacillosis manifests itself in the form of diarrhea, which can be complicated by symptoms such as fever, dysentery, pinkish rashes on the skin and mucous membranes, depending on the serotype of the microorganism.

The incubation period is 12-72 hours. It is transmitted through the ingestion of droppings into the mouth. This often occurs through the consumption of contaminated water or food. In most cases, treatment with anti-diarrhea medications is sufficient, but in severe cases, antibiotic therapy (chloramphenicol, tetracycline) may be necessary.

This disease is not a zoonotic disease.

Encephalitis (Eastern Equine Encephalitis)

Encephalitis is caused by an RNA virus of the genus Alphavirus. Breakdown of this disease can occur in commercial flocks of pheasants, chickens, quail, ducks, turkeys and emus. The main signs of the disease are dysentery and abdominal pain. Encephalitis is endemic to the United States.

Most epidemics of encephalitis occur between the end of August and the beginning of frost.

Encephalitis usually affects children under 15 years of age or adults over 50 years of age. In older people, sudden high fever, headache, vomiting, lethargy, rapidly progressing stiffness to the neck, convulsions, muscle spasms, tremors, stupor and coma are observed. In children, encephalitis manifests itself as fever, headache and vomiting for 1-2 days. After apparent recovery, painful neurological conditions may persist for a long time. Although very rare, Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus can cause death (30%-60% mortality rate was once recorded).

Avian tuberculosis

Avian tuberculosis is caused by bacteria Mycobacteriumavium, closely related to the human tuberculosis bacterium. In humans M.avium may cause local infectious wounds, enlargement of lymph nodes. The infection is severe in immunosuppressed animals. Spread through consumption of water and food contaminated with down from molting birds. Poultry flocks affected by tuberculosis must be destroyed.

While most infections Mycobacterium are treated with antibiotics M.Avium is an exception. Surgical removal of the lymph node is often necessary to remove the infection.

Avian tuberculosis is a countable zoonotic disease and if the disease is suspected, a person must report it to the authorities.

Histoplasmosis

Mushroom Histoplasmacapsulatum usually found in old poultry droppings. Birds are not susceptible to histoplastic disease, but it affects humans, dogs, cats, cows, horses, sheep and other species of wild animals.

The incubation period is 7-14 days. In most cases, the disease in humans is asymptomatic. Infection can manifest itself in three forms: acute pulmonary (most often), chronic cavitary and diffuse. The acute pulmonary form is similar to the flu and lasts several weeks. It is characterized by chills, chest pain, dry cough, fever and malaise. The chronic form occurs in people over 40 years of age and is similar to tuberculosis. It is characterized by a wet cough, purulent sputum, weight loss and rapid breathing. The diffuse form occurs in older people and older people. Manifestations of the disease include enlargement of the spleen and liver and ulceration of the mucous membranes. This form of histoplastic disease can be fatal if not treated promptly. Amphotericin is usually prescribed.

Infection occurs through inhalation of spores produced by the fungus. Histoplasmosis is not a communicable disease. The reservoir is soil, especially soil enriched with bird droppings. When working in areas suspected of being affected by histoplastic disease, it is recommended to use protective masks moistened with water. To combat the fungus, spraying with formaldehyde is used.

Histoplasmosis is not a zoonotic disease, since the reservoir is the earth, not the bird.

Cryptococcosis

Another fungus that prefers to grow on soil fertilized with droppings is Cryptococcusneoformans. The incubation period is one week. The consequences of infection can be seen in many animals, but most often they appear in humans, horses, dogs and cats, and rarely in birds.

Transmission of the fungus occurs through the respiratory tract, but it also happens through the digestive tract. Humans can contract cryptococcosis from old pigeon nests. In humans, cryptococcosis manifests as meningitis or meningoencephalitis and usually follows a pulmonary infection with cough, bloody sputum, fever, and malaise.

Typically, the disease is chronic, accompanied by cough, fever, chest pain, bloody discharge from the respiratory tract, headache, stiff neck and hallucinations.

As with histoplasmosis, this disease is associated with birds, but is not considered a zoonotic disease since the reservoir is the earth, not the bird. Does not apply to officially recorded diseases.

Cryptosporadiosis

Cryptosporadiosis is caused by protozoa of the genus Cryptosporidium. Cryptosporadiosis causes respiratory problems in chickens and turkeys. Causes gastroenteritis and diarrhea. In humans, the disease causes abdominal pain, nausea and watery diarrhea for 3-4 days. In weakened people, diarrhea may last much longer, accompanied by malabsorption of nutrients and weight loss.

The incubation period is 3-7 days and is spread through the digestive tract by ingestion of infective oocytes.

Cryptosporadiosis is an officially recognized disease in some countries.

Allergic alveolitis

Allergic alveolitis is one of the main zoonotic diseases of birds. The disease can occur in acute, subacute and chronic forms. Clinical signs of the disease include hypersensitivity to feathers, dander, or droppings caused by decreased lung capacity. Inflammation of the alveoli, the pulmonary structures responsible for air exchange, occurs.

The acute form of the disease is usually initiated by excessive contact of a sensitive person with certain circumstances, for example, cleaning a dovecote or attic. Symptoms occur almost immediately and include cough, difficulty breathing, fever and chills. If at this stage a person stops contact with the bird, then the symptoms go away and the person does not need special treatment.

The chronic form of the disease is a more serious problem and symptoms are mistakenly attributed to a cold or flu. Patients suffer from a dry cough, increased sensitivity and weight loss. Permanent lung disease may develop, including pulmonary fibrosis, which reduces the ability to exchange gases. Chronic allergic alveolitis can last for at least two years, but usually lasts 10-20 years. Patients have no choice but to completely isolate themselves from contact with the bird. Even minor contact with poultry fluff, dust or dander can cause severe relapses and suppression of the respiratory function of the lungs. The severity of this disease can be reduced by using gauze masks when working in the poultry house, interacting with birds and using air purification systems.

Therefore, poultry keepers should be aware that by interacting with their birds they are exposing themselves to the risk of certain diseases. The incidence of human illness from bird-borne diseases is low, but children, the elderly and those with weakened immune systems should be careful and take precautions.

As has already been found out, most of these infections are transmitted through the consumption of food contaminated with droppings and dust, so maintaining personal hygiene and sanitary standards for keeping poultry are the main safety conditions. Wearing face masks when handling poultry is also recommended.

If you have persistent flu-like symptoms when no one else is sick, contact your doctor and tell him that you are raising poultry. Such symptoms are often indicators that the disease has begun to spread from birds to humans.

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It is important for owners of feathered pets, farmers, hunters and ordinary people to know that birds can become a source of many infectious diseases, and communication with them should be accompanied by some precautions. You can become infected from birds not only at home or in the forest, but also while walking in the park or on the street. In our article we will tell you about some infectious diseases whose pathogens are spread by birds, and measures to prevent them.

What diseases can birds carry?

As a rule, the source of infections are ornamental birds purchased at spontaneous markets.

Contrary to the prevailing stereotype, the greatest danger in terms of the spread of infectious diseases that can infect humans is not wild and farm birds, but ornamental species of birds, which many people purchase not in specialized stores, but in spontaneous markets. To date, about 90 causative agents of various diseases transmitted from birds to humans are known.

Most often, people become infected from birds with infectious diseases such as:

• psittacosis;
• false tuberculosis (yersiniosis);
• Newcastle disease.

Less commonly, a person becomes infected with the following infections:

• bird flu;
• toxoplasmosis;
• pseudomonosis;
• colibacillosis;
• giardiasis;
• pasteurellosis;
• listeriosis;

The following pathogens can also pose a potential threat to humans:

• aspergillosis;
• food poisoning from staphylococcal toxins, clostidia toxins, or Bacillus cereus;
• histoplasmosis;

All of the above diseases are transmitted from birds to humans:

• by airborne droplets or through bird saliva;
• in case of non-compliance with personal hygiene rules;
• eating poorly cooked eggs or poultry meat;
• when poultry excrement gets into food.

Symptoms and treatment

In our article we will introduce you to the symptoms of the most common infectious diseases that humans can contract from birds.

Salmonellosis

They settle in the small intestine and begin to secrete a toxin, which leads to inflammation, affects the nervous system and disrupts vascular tone. The patient experiences nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, headache, weakness, abdominal pain and fever. The disease begins to manifest itself 2–72 hours after infection. In some cases, a person does not get sick himself, but becomes a carrier of the bacteria and poses a danger to others. Salmonellosis is treated by replenishing lost fluid. Antibiotics and etiotropic drugs are used for its generalized forms.

Ornithosis (or parrot disease, psittacosis)

The causative agents of the disease (Chlamydiae psittaci) penetrate the respiratory tract and after 7–14 hours a person develops signs of pneumonia. The patient's temperature rises to high levels (39–40 degrees), a dry cough and chest pain when breathing appear. The pathogen can then penetrate into the blood and cause the development of general intoxication of the body. When chlamydia affects the liver, nervous system, spleen, myocardium or adrenal glands, the patient develops characteristic symptoms. Antibiotics are used to treat this disease and prevent its complications.

False tuberculosis (yersiniosis)

The causative agent of the disease (Yersinia enterocolitic) can cause various symptoms. Most often, the disease occurs against the background of a general toxic syndrome (fever, headache, weakness, muscle and joint pain, loss of appetite, etc.). In the gastrointerstitial form of yersiniosis, the patient experiences nausea, vomiting and diarrhea against the background of general intoxication. In more rare cases, this disease is accompanied by arthralgia (pain in the joints) or exanthema (rashes on various parts of the body, mainly on the lower arms or legs), burning in the palms and peeling. Yersiniosis is treated with antibiotics and detoxification agents.

Campylobacteriosis

The causative agents of the disease (Campylobacter) 1–5 days (sometimes several hours) after penetration into the human intestine cause fever, general weakness, pain and aches in the muscles, pain in the abdominal area (especially often on the right and around the navel), vomiting the first days of the disease and frequent diarrhea. To treat the disease, rehydrating agents, probiotics, enzyme preparations and - only in rare cases - antibiotics are used.

Newcastle disease

The disease is caused by a virus that enters the human body through the respiratory tract and provokes acute catarrh of the upper respiratory tract and fever. In some cases it may be accompanied. When children become infected with the virus, they may experience brain damage. Symptomatic medications are used to treat this disease.

Prevention

Hands should be washed thoroughly after handling poultry.

Measures to prevent diseases that can be caused by birds are extremely simple. By following them, you can significantly reduce the risk of contracting a particular infectious disease. Preventive measures are aimed not only at preventing infection from pets or farm birds, but from their wild counterparts that we may encounter on the streets or in nature.

The complex of preventive measures and recommendations for preventing infection with infectious diseases from birds includes the following advice:

• buy ornamental birds only in trusted pet stores;
• clean up after domestic or farm pets in a timely manner, taking precautions (use a gauze bandage, gloves);
• do not place the bird’s cage near the bed or in the kitchen;
• wash your hands thoroughly after contact with poultry or wild birds;
• eat poultry meat or eggs only after adequate heat treatment;
• cut poultry meat only on special boards and wash them thoroughly;
• do not feed wild birds by hand;
• when processing carcasses of farm or wild birds, perform work in a well-ventilated room or outdoors;
• do not eat meat from birds with signs of disease (droppings on feathers, pus in the sinuses, exhaustion, etc.);
• do not buy poultry meat or eggs at spontaneous markets;
• Do not feed raw meat or poultry entrails to domestic cats and dogs.

There are an extremely large number of diseases that humans can contract from birds, but by taking precautions they can be resisted. The danger of contracting these infectious diseases awaits us at every step: in the park, at home, in nature, in butcher shops and other places. Be carefull!

Today, agriculture, food industry, entertainment and services are quite widely developed. We have the opportunity to come into contact with various animals and food products. In zoos, at exhibitions, and in pet stores you can find a large number of both domestic and exotic animals and birds. Agriculture, agro-industrial complex is diligently engaged in poultry breeding. Many people keep poultry in their gardens, houses and apartments. The bird has become not only an object of the food industry, but also a faithful friend and life partner with whom we come into contact in city parks, zoological parks, and at home. Interest in the bird does not decrease. But at the same time, anxiety also increases. A natural question arises: what can you get infected from a bird? Essentially, the question is twofold and contains two subtexts: what can you get infected by contacting with domestic and farm poultry, and what can you get infected by consuming poultry meat.

What diseases can you get from birds?

Birds are often carriers of diseases such as salmonellosis, pseudotuberculosis, campylobacteriosis, colibacillosis, listeriosis, and pasteurellosis. In addition, birds can provoke allergies.

According to veterinarians, urban, domestic and farm birds most often suffer from trichomoniasis and ornithosis. They also pose a risk to humans. Most people believe that farm and wild birds pose the greatest danger, but this is not true. The greatest risk of infection is from domestic and ornamental birds, especially parrots.

Trichomoniasis should be understood as an infectious disease in which the genitourinary tract in humans and animals becomes inflamed. The cause is the microorganism Trichomonas. Even if the bird is not sick, it can be a carrier of this infection. Pathogens can survive in the environment for up to 2 hours. Therefore, if you do not wash your hands after contact with the bird. You can get this disease. Its danger lies in the fact that the disease in the early stages develops asymptomatically, but ultimately can lead to infertility and inflammatory processes of the genitourinary system. Often these infections provoke the development of cancerous tumors.

According to WHO, approximately 10% of all cases of acute pneumonia are caused by chlamydia, which is carried by birds. These are so-called ornithosis pneumonias.

Whirling is a disease that mainly affects pigeons. The pathogenesis is based on damage to the central nervous system. The pigeons begin to make uncontrolled turns of their heads. They often die from a dislocated neck or from exhaustion or convulsions. In humans, it can manifest itself after contact with poultry in the form of conjunctivitis and swelling of the lymph nodes.

Children who are constantly in contact with poultry and agricultural workers are especially often affected. When infected with psittacosis, the first symptoms are similar to a cold. Chills and trembling appear in the body. The temperature may rise. Gradually a sore throat, runny nose, and sore throat appears. It becomes painful to swallow, and pain appears in the eyes.

Prevention of psittacosis is quite simple and comes down to the need to maintain personal hygiene and rules of contact with birds. So, hands should be washed thoroughly after each contact. Most of the infection is transmitted through the hands. It is necessary to monitor your immunity, since people with reduced immunity are most at risk of getting sick. This requires proper nutrition, timely provision of the body with all necessary nutrients and vitamins.

Timely diagnosis of infection is important. To do this, it is regularly necessary to undergo preventive examinations and be tested for infections, including hidden ones. The main danger of ornithosis and other diseases that are transmitted by birds is that they are asymptomatic. At the same time, serious disturbances occur in the body, and immunity decreases. After a few months, and sometimes even years, the disease manifests itself in the form of severe metabolic disorders and chronic inflammatory diseases.

If the disease is detected at an early stage, the necessary measures can be taken to treat it. Methods for early diagnosis are various bacteriological and immunological methods. The most accurate method is molecular genetic, such as PCR. Using these methods, infection can be detected early.