Being around bird droppings can potentially expose you to several diseases. However, the risks are generally low if you take proper precautions. Here is what you need to know about the health hazards of being near bird poop and how to protect yourself.
What diseases can you get from bird droppings?
There are three main diseases that are associated with bird droppings:
- Histoplasmosis
- Psittacosis
- Cryptococcosis
Histoplasmosis
Histoplasmosis is caused by a fungus called Histoplasma capsulatum. The fungus grows in soil that contains large amounts of bird or bat droppings. When the contaminated soil is stirred up, the fungal spores can be inhaled. Once inside the lungs, the fungus can cause pneumonia-like symptoms. Symptoms of histoplasmosis include:
- Fever
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Muscle aches
For most healthy people, the symptoms resolve without treatment within a few weeks. But severe infections can occur in those with weakened immune systems. Histoplasmosis can be treated with antifungal medications.
Psittacosis
Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever, is caused by Chlamydia psittaci bacteria. Birds are the natural hosts for this bacteria. The disease spreads to humans through inhalation of dust from bird droppings or secretions. Psittacosis causes a respiratory infection with symptoms similar to pneumonia, including:
- Fever
- Chills
- Cough
- Breathing difficulties
- Headache
- Muscle aches
Without treatment, severe cases of psittacosis can lead to serious complications. The infection is treated with antibiotics, usually tetracycline or doxycycline.
Cryptococcosis
Cryptococcus neoformans is a fungus that primarily affects birds but can be transmitted to humans. Exposure occurs by inhaling fungal spores from soil contaminated with bird droppings. Cryptococcosis typically causes a lung infection first, with symptoms like:
- Cough
- Chest pain
- Fever
- Shortness of breath
The infection can then spread to the brain and spinal cord. Without treatment, cryptococcosis of the central nervous system is life-threatening. Cryptococcosis is treated with antifungal medications.
Other potential risks
Though less common, bird droppings may also expose people to:
- Salmonella – Rarely, bird feces can contain Salmonella bacteria, which causes food poisoning symptoms like diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps.
- Campylobacter – An intestinal infection marked by diarrhea, cramping, and fever.
- E. coli – While many strains are harmless, some E. coli from bird droppings can cause illness.
- Giardia – A parasitic infection that spreads through contaminated water.
Which birds are most risky?
The specific diseases you could be exposed to depend on the type of bird. Here are some of the biggest concerns by species:
Bird | Diseases |
---|---|
Pigeons and doves | Histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis |
Chickens | Histoplasmosis, salmonella |
Parrots, parakeets, and cockatiels | Psittacosis |
Sea birds like gulls | Histoplasmosis, E. coli |
Ducks and geese | Cryptococcosis, salmonella, campylobacter, giardia |
Bird droppings that accumulate in large quantities, such as under bridges or roosting areas, tend to pose the greatest hazard. The fresher the droppings, the more likely they are to cause illness.
How do you get sick from bird poop?
There are three main ways exposure to bird droppings can make you sick:
Inhalation
Most illnesses are caused by breathing in fungal spores, bacteria, or viruses that become airborne from feces dispersed into the environment. Dried bird droppings can get stirred up as dust and then inhaled. This accounts for diseases like histoplasmosis, psittacosis, and cryptococcosis.
Mucus membranes
Touching your eyes, nose, or mouth after contacting contaminated droppings can lead to infection. Some pathogens can enter through the mucus membranes and then multiply.
Ingestion
Accidentally swallowing particles from droppings can cause gastrointestinal infections. This may occur from poor hand hygiene after touching contaminated surfaces. Salmonella, E. coli, and campylobacter are some examples.
Am I at risk from a single dropping?
A single bird poop is very unlikely to get you sick. Nearly all cases of illness stem from repeated heavy exposure to accumulated droppings.
Exceptions could occur if a dropping landed directly in your eye or mouth. Otherwise, a one-time light exposure poses little risk as the number of pathogens passed on may be too small to establish infection.
Can you get sick from touching dried poop?
Yes, it is possible to get sick from dried bird droppings. Many germs can persist in feces even after it has dried out. As dust particles, droppings can still release infectious particles into the air. Proper protective equipment and precautions should be used during any cleanup.
However, dried poop is less hazardous as there will likely be fewer viable organisms over time. The greatest risk is from fresh, moist droppings or areas where new feces are continuously deposited.
How soon do symptoms appear?
The incubation period, or time from exposure to onset of symptoms, depends on the particular pathogen. Here are some general guidelines:
- Histoplasmosis – 3 to 17 days, with an average of 7 to 14 days.
- Psittacosis – Usually 5 to 14 days.
- Cryptococcosis – 2 weeks to several months.
- Salmonella – 6 hours to 6 days, commonly 12 to 36 hours.
- E. coli – 1 to 10 days, typically 3 to 4 days.
Noticeable symptoms may begin within hours or take several weeks to develop. Seek medical care if you experience signs of infection following bird droppings exposure.
Who is most at risk?
Some groups have a higher chance of becoming ill from bird droppings. Those at increased risk include:
- Infants and young children
- Elderly adults
- Pregnant women
- People with chronic illnesses like lung disease, diabetes, and cancer
- Individuals taking medications that suppress the immune system
- People who work with birds, like veterinarians, pet shop employees, and poultry plant workers
Healthy adults are less likely to develop serious infections. However, proper precautions should still be taken around bird droppings.
Can handling bird feces make my pet sick?
Yes, dogs and cats can become ill after being exposed to infected bird droppings. Potential risks to pets include:
- Salmonellosis
- Campylobacteriosis
- Giardiasis
- Internal parasites like tapeworms and roundworms
To keep them safe, promptly clean up any bird droppings in your yard and keep pets away from areas frequented by wild birds. Also prevent pets from ingesting poop or licking their paws after walking in contaminated areas.
How should bird droppings be cleaned up?
Care should be taken when cleaning up bird feces to avoid stirring up particles and accidentally ingesting them. Recommended precautions include:
- Wear personal protective equipment like gloves, mask, goggles, coveralls, boots.
- Dampen the droppings before sweeping or shoveling to prevent scattering.
- Use tools like spades and dustpans rather than your hands.
- Double bag waste before disposal.
- Clean hands thoroughly afterwards with soap and water.
Power washing or using a wet/dry vacuum with a HEPA filter can help reduce airborne spread. Disinfect any contaminated surfaces. Work clothes should be washed separately after cleanup.
How can you avoid getting sick from bird droppings?
To minimize the health risks associated with bird feces, you should:
- Wash hands after touching areas frequented by birds.
- Wear a properly-fitted respirator mask if exposed to droppings through work or cleanup.
- Avoid areas with abundant bird waste like coops, roosts, and nests.
- Keep children’s play areas clean of droppings.
- Have regular vet visits for pet birds and get them tested for infectious diseases.
- Teach children not to touch or go near bird poop.
Proper handling of bird droppings, wearing protective gear during clean up, and avoiding unnecessary exposure are key to staying healthy around bird feces.
Conclusion
Bird droppings can carry diseases like histoplasmosis, psittacosis, and cryptococcosis. While a single dropping poses little risk, repeated heavy exposure increases your chances of getting sick. To protect your health, avoid areas with substantial bird waste, promptly clean up droppings, and use proper precautions. However, the average person’s risk of illness from incidental exposure remains low.