There
are more than 40 types of parasites living on birds.
Avian mites can transfer various diseases to humans
such as Encephalitis, Lyme disease, West Nile Virus
and Meningitis. Most of these parasites live on the
birds and at their nest sites. When birds living in
the attic die from various avian infections the avian
mites will readily seek alternative food sources,
which means they can enter buildings and homes to
feed on humans and pets.
An
untold number of human salmonella infections are attributed
to urban birds and as well as many “colds”
“influenzas” and “pneumonias”.
Most of these maladies are not rightfully contributed
to bird origin and are not registered or investigated,
as they do not involve the health care system. The
more severe cases, where long term hospitalization
and even death are the result of an infection, this
naturally draws the most attention. As diseases constantly
mutate and adapt to new hosts more diseases from the
avian world will cross the bird/human boundary and
become a possible health concern like the current
Avian Flu H5N1.
