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Bird Diseases

Bulldogs&Birds

Meeting neighbors
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Doctress

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It's pretty difficult to get a disease from a parrot. Just like humans "carry" certain normal bacteria, birds carry their normal bacteria. Sometimes bird bacteria can infect humans- the most notorious for this is Chlamydia Psittacosis, which can cause pneumonia in humans. The diseases mentioned in the first link deal more with diseases that birds can get- only 1 of those can be transferred to humans.

The vast majority of parrot owners have never gotten sick from their birds. If they do, the common cause is an allergy from dust/dander. The main ways of preventing disease are just like any other illness- washing your hands before and after handling the bird, bird toys, and food/water dishes. Keeping the cage clean helps to reduce the amount of bacteria and fungus growing on stool and old food (especially fruits/veggies), and scrubbing the dishes to prevent biofilm (the slimy layer that grows on top of water sometimes).
 

enigma731

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I'll add that people can get sick from any pet if they don't practice good husbandry/handwashing. Birds aren't any more risk than a dog or cat in that regard.
 

webchirp

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You should always have a new bird tested for psittacosis. That is one that can carry to humans. It's very easy to treat in a bird.
 
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