Public Health Threats from Pet Bird Zoonoses

Abstract

The very high exotic or genetic value made pet birds, likecanaries, parakeets, and parrots a choice for trade across countries and continents, and the capability of these birds to act aspotential carriers or transmitters of zoonotic diseases contributes a significant threat to humans. Birds are characterized and known for their susceptibility, transmission, and maintenance of pathogens that are zoonotic to humans. Some of the zoonotic diseases they spread, such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), salmonellosis, and chlamydophilosishave a significant impact on human health and these things make this issue a one health concern. Zoonotic diseases among birds areclassified as bacterial, viral, fungal, and of parasitic origin. The intensity with which they affect humans varies according to their pathogenicity and virulence. The awareness of pet bird zoonosesis of prime importance while trading or domesticating the bird, which will help to understand their potential fordiseases and install preventive measures accordingly. This review paper aims to educate readers about the risks faced by bird owners and the public by describing several instances of bird-human disease transmission and the characteristicsymptoms of those diseases.