Is it true that pet birds carry diseases?

Question

I can see how birds in the wild would be magnets for microorganisms, but what about pet birds living in your home that are well taken care of?

Answer 1

No.  And birds in the wild don't carry disease like insects.  They can get  disease from insects and die, but most of those diseases are not spread from bird to bird.  They are caused by bites of certain insects.  Birds do carry mites and some other things.  Pet birds when taken care of and have their cages kept clean, nomally do not carry disease or spread anything. They are not "disease carriers" like rodents and bugs.  They can get diseases from bacterias in dirty cages, and a few of these can be passed to humans.

Answer 2

They can. Birds can have or carry diseases and pass them on to other birds living with you or very rarely to humans. But I wouldn't worry too much because it's not too common for them to have or carry dangerous diseases. There are a few though, and if you want more info, I would suggest asking at a local pet store.

http://www.birdsnways.com/articles/psitt...

http://www.birdsnways.com/wisdom/ww23eii...

Answer 3

Petsmart just euthanize a whole bunch of birds that were carriers of Psittacosis which is contagious to humans.  Yes the CDC was called in yes it was reported and logged.  This is NOT the first time Pet smart or Pet co has been linked to a disease that has been contagious.  

Yes birds carry many diseases that are air borne just like flus and colds.  You can walk into a pet store that have birds and carry it home on your clothes or shoes and give it to your birds without even coming in contact with those birds that are carriers of it.  

Pssit is not the only disease they carry, Pox virus, PDD, Avian B and the list can go on and on.

Answer 4

Yes they can. But a well cared for pet bird has probably had a well-bird exam and has been tested for things like Salmonella and psittacosis, which can spread to humans through bird droppings.

Answer 5

I don't think so, but i thinks it could be possible...

Answer 6

its possible, but most likely not....if you found one in an ally or in a tree and brought in your home and kept it, it might have a desiase...but if you bought it from the store, then its fine.

Pet stores always make sure that animals are healthy. :)

Answer 7

If he came form the wild and hasent had the bird flu shot.

But if you get him from the pet store or flea market, it should be safe.

but if you got the bird from another person, i would go and get him checked.