Today, pigeons are city dwellers on a par with people. They are considered symbols of love, happiness and purity, but they are the spread of many diseases. These birds can carry more than 50 different pathogenic and opportunistic microbes, and some of them can be transmitted to humans. So what diseases doves carry? This is what this article is about.
What diseases do pigeons carry
Tularemia
Tularemia is caused by a tiny bacteria. It spreads quickly and adapts well to any habitat. It is impossible to tell from the bird whether it is sick or not. You can get infected only from one touch to the pigeon or through contaminated liquid and food. Also, a tick bite can become an irritant.
As practice shows, a person easily becomes infected with this ailment, but a person is not capable of infecting a person. Symptoms
- heat;
- shiver;
- lack of appetite;
- severe headaches;
- weakness in the legs and body.
During the first phase, the face in people turns red and swells, rashes occur on the skin and inside the oral cavity. The size of the liver and spleen can also increase, which leads to sharp pain in the abdomen. Also, one of the main symptoms is swollen lymph nodes, which can lead to immediate sore throat.
The disease with easy treatment is easy: dry cough and a slightly elevated temperature. If you turn to specialists late, tularemia will develop into pneumonia. It can be treated with antibiotics.
Those at risk are best vaccinated every 5 years. But this is only if the doctor has confirmed the diagnosis.
Salmonellosis
The most common pathology that pigeons carry. It is feces that is the main cause of the spread of the disease. Upon contact with a person, the disease is easily tolerated. You can get this disease through unwashed hands and food purchased on the street (especially in open areas). The disease has little effect on people. Carriers are different types of street birds.
This infection is not fatal, but causes unpleasant symptoms:
- stomach disruption;
- poisoning (vomiting);
- unstable stools;
- slight pain in the abdomen.
Also a hallmark is the color of the chair. The infected will have a yellow-green color with a rather unpleasant odor. The temperature may also rise sharply and weakness appear.
Listeriosis
Most birds suffer from this disease, pigeons are also its carriers. The disease, just like tularemia, is caused by a tiny bacterium. The human body is resistant to infection, but there are still cases of infection.
The disease is transmitted in two ways: through the saliva and feces of the pigeon. Microbes can enter the body through the fecal-oral route, air, and direct contact. Microbes live in feathers, feces and air.
If a microbe enters the body, it does not give a 100% guarantee of infection. The human body can overcome this disease in the bud, as a result, everything will turn into a mild allergy.
If the immune system has failed, the first symptoms appear:
- the temperature rises sharply;
- rashes appear;
- lymph nodes increase in size;
- there is a sore throat, meningitis;
If you do not turn to specialists in time, this ailment will develop into an acute form and end in death. The disease is often mild. The temperature may rise, possible vomiting.
If the disease is transmitted to a pregnant woman, then the child automatically becomes sick. At the initial stages, you can do without drugs, but in severe forms, you must resort to treatment (pills or antibiotics).
Why are DOVES dangerous for humans? Infections - salmonellosis, psittacosis and other terrible diseases
Don't feed city pigeons
What to do if you find a sick pigeon? Saving an ordinary Dove =)
Pseudotuberculosis
Pigeons are one of the main distributors of pseudotuberculosis. It is transmitted through bacteria. The causative agent is the bacterium Yersinia. The microbe is found in feces.
You can get infected through water, food and feathers. Children are most often affected by this pathology. The stomach suffers first, then the spleen and liver. In children, the disease can cause allergies.
Symptoms
- heat;
- dehydration of the body;
- nausea;
- vomiting;
- disorder;
- possible discomfort in the abdomen.
Treatment is with antibiotics.
Ornithosis and campylobacteriosis
The causative agent of psittacosis is chlamydia. They enter the body through the air. Chlamydiae enter the lungs, affect them, and eventually cause a dry cough, shortness of breath and interruptions in the heartbeat. After that, the bacteria enters the bloodstream and eventually leads to dehydration.
Symptoms
- heat;
- chills;
- pain in muscles and bones.
A dangerous virus can cause problems with the liver and spleen, and is chronic. You can get infected through skin contact, through air, feathers and feces.
Campylobacteriosis does not manifest itself in any way in pigeons. A person can catch the disease through dirty hands or food that has been contaminated. When a disease enters the body, the first symptom is indigestion. Other signs of infection:
- nausea and weakness;
- erratic and watery stools;
- weight loss, loss of appetite;
- dehydration.
In women, one of the symptoms is vaginal irritation and discharge from the genital tract.
Toxoplasmosis and Newcastle disease
Golub - carriers of the disease toxoplasmosis. It is transmitted through poor meat that has not been processed, as well as through direct contact. In adults, this disease is rare, more often in children. They are the ones who are at risk. People over 30 are immune to this disease.
Symptoms: abdominal pain, headache, body aches, a sharp increase in temperature. If you start the disease and do not turn to specialists in time, this will lead to paralysis of the limbs, memory impairments and even mental disorders. Treatment with antibiotics is possible.
Newcastle disease is common among people. The main vectors of the disease are chickens and pigeons. Disease by airborne droplets. If you touch the eye or nose with dirty, infected hands, infection is inevitable. Poultry workers and veterinarians are often infected.
Symptoms as with a common cold: cough, runny nose, dry mouth. Children are harder to tolerate this disease.
There are some rules that help protect against diseases. It follows:
- less contact with animals on the street;
- wash your hands often;
- do not eat on the street;
- constantly clean air conditioners and fans.
Any disease can be cured and prevented by following standard hygiene practices. To be able to protect yourself is to ensure a healthy and quality life.