Ornithosis

Ornithosis is a bacterial disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, the same bacterium that causes psittacosis in parrots. It is the same infection; the name ornithosis is used when it occurs in pigeons, wild birds and poultry. This article is about those birds – parrots and pet birds are covered in the article on psittacosis. Ornithosis can be passed on to humans.

The bacterium has been found in several hundred bird species. In Croatia it is most often found in:

• pigeons, both feral and domestic, many of which carry the bacterium without signs of disease,
• poultry, especially ducks and turkeys, while chickens less often become seriously ill,
• wild birds, for example gulls and waterbirds.

Infected birds shed the bacterium in their droppings and in discharge from the nose and eyes. Dried droppings crumble into dust, so the disease spreads through the air, via shared drinkers and feeders, and in places where many birds gather: in pigeon lofts, on town squares, in attics and in poultry houses. Pigeons also pass the bacterium on to their young when feeding them crop milk.

The disease most often flares up when a bird is weakened: by racing, breeding, moulting, cold, overcrowding or another illness.

In pigeons the disease is often seen as part of an “infectious cold”:

• inflammation of one eye, less often both: swollen eyelid, tearing, eye kept closed,
• nasal discharge, dirty and grey ceres (nose wattles),
• sneezing, rattling or wheezing when breathing, open-beak breathing,
• loose, greenish or yellowish droppings,
• weight loss, untidy feathers, poor condition and weaker flying.

Young pigeons become more seriously ill, while older ones often just carry the bacterium.

In ducks and turkeys you may see discharge from the eyes and nose, diarrhoea, weakness, loss of appetite and weight loss, and in ducklings also trembling or an unsteady gait.

A wild bird with ornithosis is usually fluffed up and quiet, easy to approach and does not fly away. Birds with many other diseases look the same, so only a vet can make the correct diagnosis.

• The bird is breathing with difficulty, with its beak open, or you can hear rattling.
• It is not eating or drinking and sits fluffed up.
• It has watery or bright green droppings.
• Several birds in the flock, loft or poultry house become ill or some die.
• You have found a wild bird that cannot fly and does not flee from people.

Wild birds are protected in Croatia. Hand over a sick wild bird to a vet or a wildlife rescue centre, as keeping it at home for a long time is not permitted.

The vet confirms the disease with a PCR test of swabs from the eye, throat and cloaca or by testing droppings. With pigeons and poultry, several birds from the flock are often tested.

It is treated with antibiotics from the tetracycline group, such as doxycycline, which are prescribed by the vet. Treatment takes a long time and usually covers the whole flock, as birds without symptoms can also carry the bacterium. At the same time the premises need to be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Giving pigeons antibiotics on your own “just in case” does not solve the problem and encourages bacterial resistance.

• Separate the sick bird from the others straight away.
• Put it in a cardboard box with air holes, in a warm, dark and quiet place.
• Offer a shallow dish of water, but never pour water into its beak and do not force-feed it.
• Remove droppings every day after dampening them, and do not stir them up into the air by sweeping.
• Provide a dry, well-ventilated space without overcrowding.
• Keep new or returning pigeons separate for several weeks before letting them join the flock.
• Prevent contact between domestic pigeons and poultry and wild birds, especially at feeders and drinkers.

Yes. Those most at risk are pigeon fanciers, people who work with poultry, especially ducks and turkeys, and those who clean attics and balconies soiled with pigeon droppings. People become infected by inhaling dust from dried droppings, feathers and discharge.

In humans the disease usually starts like flu: high temperature, chills, headache, muscle pain and a dry cough, and pneumonia can develop.

• Wear gloves and a protective mask when cleaning.
• Dampen droppings before removing them and never sweep or blow them away dry.
• Do not touch a sick or dead bird with bare hands.
• Wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds.
• If flu-like symptoms appear, see a doctor and tell them you have been in contact with birds.

Ornithosis is the same disease as psittacosis, only in pigeons, wild birds and poultry. Many birds carry the bacterium without signs of disease, so hygiene, avoiding dust and seeing a vet in good time are the best protection for both birds and people.