Are There Any Dangerous Germs in Parrot Excrement?

With their vivid colors, amazing sounds and funny antics, parrots deliver entertainment. Unfortunately, the excrement from these wonderful family members can also deliver little surprises. It's not common, but a range of different bacteria and viruses can live inside your parrot̵7;s feces, increasing the risk of transmission to other birds and you.

  1. Salmonella

    • Salmonella is a bacterium typically associated with contaminated food. Your parrot can contract the bacteria through contaminated water and food, as well as feces from another bird that may be a carrier and not affected by the virus. Symptoms in affected parrots include lethargy, loss of appetite, excessive thirst, diarrhea, depression and the development of arthritis. Contact with infected feces and inadequate hand-washing can spread salmonella to humans. Human symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, fever, dehydration, chills, abdominal pain and arthritis. In addition, humans infected with salmonella can spread it to their birds.

    Chlamydia Psittaci

    • The bacteria Chlamydia psittaci is responsible for the disease psittacosis in both parrots and humans. Also known as parrot fever or chlamydiosis, psittacosis transmits via feces, urine, saliva and feather dust. Bacteria in the feces are inhaled or ingested. Symptoms in parrots include eye inflammation, difficulty breathing, anorexia, ruffled appearance, loose stool and green urates. In severe cases, seizures and complications with the kidneys, liver and lungs can occur. In humans, symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough, rash, pneumonia, chest pain and swelling of the spleen, brain and heart. Antibiotics treat the disease over the course of a few weeks.

    Newcastle Disease Virus

    • Newcastle disease virus is a contagious and fatal disease that affects most species of birds. Amazon parrots smuggled from Latin America pose a higher risk of the disease. Parrots can be carriers of the disease and never get sick. These carriers shed the virus in their feces for up to 400 days. Symptoms of Newcastle disease virus in parrots include sneezing, difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, coughing, greenish and loose diarrhea, muscle tremors, paralysis, eye swelling and sudden death. In parrots, there is no known treatment, and the disease is usually fatal. In humans, symptoms include mild flulike symptoms, conjunctivitis and laryngitis. In people, the condition is short-term and usually requires no treatment. Researchers are actually looking at Newcastle disease virus as a possible treatment for human cancer.

    Hand Washing

    • When it comes to parrots, their excrement and the possible spread of bacteria or viruses, the best method of prevention is thorough hand-washing. Wash your hands with soap for at least 20 seconds. Wash them before and after you handle your bird. Wash your hands before preparing food for yourself or your bird. Proper washing practices help reduce the risk of you contracting something from your bird or spreading something to him.