Dr. Saddam Malik
The term “Pet bird” designates birds housed and bred for an exclusively ornamental use. Pet birds are a not-so-well known veterinarian’s client ship fraction. Bought individually or in couples, as families often do (which is a lucrative business for pet shops or local breeders) or traded (sometimes illegally) for their very high genetic or exotic value, these birds, commonly canaries, parakeets or parrots, are regularly sold at high prices. Many families own their “kitchen pet bird”, which represents a lucrative business for pet shops or local breeders , since a single male canary is sold for around 400 rupees in our state and a female around 650 rs. Prices are about the same for zebra finches or budgerigars, and 50% to 100% higher for “special” finches like Gould diamonds. Bird fairs and live bird markets also gather a lot of people. Notwithstanding these socio-economic facts, these animals are potential carriers and/or transmitters of zoonotic diseases. Some of these pathologies could have an important impact on human health, like chlamydophilosis, salmonellosis or even highly pathogenic avian influenza A H5N1, but also have an economic impact if some of these pathogens are spread via carriers or vectors like wild birds, human beings, insects or mites to poultry breeding units or cattle facilities, then entering the food chain. The aim of this article is to enlighten and discuss the risks encountered by bird handlers (including children), professional workers (e.g. veterinarians, traders or shop owners) in particular and the human population in general, and to assess the eventual health and economic consequences and propose some guidelines to prevent transmission from such birds to humans. The main entry routes for diseases include Households, Pet shops, Fairs; from such portals only these contagious factors cross over to human cycle & thus put off our healthy lifestyles. Bird oriented vector borne diseases represent a major problem for public health. Bird ecto-parasites, especially mites & ticks are well known for their heavy potential to transmit diseases, hence the people of our state being passionate about their pets increases the risk. With summers arriving soon, another vector is getting on its role as a significant carrier & that being “Mosquito”. Mosquito bites are the easiest route of acquiring a viral /deadly zoonotic. Diseases like Tuberculosis, Avian Flu, Toxoplasmosis, and Salmonellosis can cause havoc, if ignored.
However, in order to prevent transmission from birds to humans, certain guidelines need to be followed that may help reduce the fatal incursions into our lives. The transmission of zoonotic pathogens from animals to humans could be easily decreased by applying some elementary hygiene practices, like ; clean cages, washing hands after contact, fresh feed & water , remove the excreta daily, disinfect cages once a week. Usually, bird breeders are correctly aware of these precautions; the risk is, however, higher in the case of family pets bought for the first time for a decorative purpose or as presents for children, especially when either parents or children have not been informed about the earlier cited elementary advice. Always stay alert & updated with your vet for every bad or strange your pet does. Therefore, investigating the health status of pet birds, facilities, avian exploitations and owners should be an interesting starting point to define human health risks encountered.
“Being passionate for your pet is not bad: It’s just silly not being passionate for your own self as much”!
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