I've read that after handling pet birds like pgieons, chickens, etc...you should wash your hands throughly, why?
(no jokes please)
thanks!
2007-08-27 17:43:34 · 9 answers · asked by Checkers- the -Wolf 1 in Pets ➔ Birds
There is a danger when handling fowl of any sort, of the bird hosting a bacterium termed brucellae citicosis. This is highly contagious, obviously hazardous to humans and causes flu like symptoms.
The hand washing is a common-sense measure to limit the possibility of anything you subsequently touch becoming a means of infecting others
2007-08-27 18:05:52 · answer #1 · answered by cornflake#1 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is because they can pick up things from you that you have touched. They have very sensitive immune systems and if you touch a bird from somewhere else that bird could have something that you would not know the bird had and then you touch your bird . Your bird can get what the other bird has.
I will give you example. If I hold my cat I would then have to wash my hands before I hold the bird. If I did something in the kitchen like cooking I would have to wash my hands before I got to hold my bird. If I sneezed I would not be able to hold my bird because they can pick up any little thing and they could get sick. I have a Bird and thats what I have to do before I hold him.
2007-08-27 18:00:29 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Before holding... hand washing is to removed oils and natural dirt that your hands have. it would compare to working on a car... and then touching your face. Only you cant see the oil on your hands. but the birds feathers pick it up. which is not so good.
After to wash your hands... simply cause you had a bird on them for that time... and they are dirty now. (sorry not meant to be a joke)
2007-09-02 07:50:32 · answer #3 · answered by hard2getbutch 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Many birds carry diseases and it's to prevent you from getting those diseases.
You should always wash your hands after handling any pet. I have hamsters and dogs, and always wash afterwards from feeding or playing.
It's just nasty if you dont.
2007-08-27 18:06:22 · answer #4 · answered by simpleminded 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most birds carry some sort of disease that you can get. So that is why you should wash your hands ALL THE TIME YOU HANDLE ANY BIRDS!!!!
2007-08-28 10:10:12 · answer #5 · answered by curioustubby 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I can help you here is the info that should convience you that it is needed:
Although birds can spread germs to people, illness caused by touching or owning birds is rare. To best protect yourself from getting sick, thoroughly wash your hands with running water and soap after contact with birds or their droppings.
Different types of birds can carry different diseases. For example, baby chicks and ducklings often carry the bacterium Salmonella. This germ causes salmonellosis (sal-MOhn-el-OH-sis) in people. Parakeets and parrots can carry the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci (kluh-MID-ee-ah si-TACH-ee). This germ causes the disease psittacosis (sit-a-koh-sis). Pigeon droppings can have germs that make people sick.
Some people are more likely than others to get diseases from birds. A person's age and health status may affect his or her immune system, increasing the chances of getting sick. People who are more likely to get diseases from birds include infants, children younger than 5 years old, organ transplant patients, people with HIV/AIDS, and people being treated for cancer. Special advice is available for people who are at greater risk than others of getting diseases from animals.
Many organization support the health benefits of pets. These groups provide information on how pets can help people be healthy.
Learn more about bird-related diseases, below.
Chlamydia psittaci Infection (psittacosis): A bacterial disease associated with pet birds, including parrots and parakeets. Recommendations and Reports MMWR.
Cryptococcus Infection (cryptococcosis): A fungal disease associated with wild-bird droppings, including those from pigeons.
Salmonella Infection (salmonellosis): A bacterial disease associated with many birds, especially chickens, baby chicks, and ducklings.
CDC Reports and Recommendations
Health risks associated with in-town chicken flocks (PDF 19KB)
Salmonellosis associated with chicks and ducklings-Michigan and Missouri, Spring 1999. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report April 14, 2000; 49(14):297-9.
Compendium of measures to control Chlamydia psittaci infection among humans (Psittacosis) and pet birds (avian chlamydiosis), Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report July 10, 1998; 47(RR10):1-9.
2007-08-31 10:56:49 · answer #6 · answered by kimba 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
infection of a disease like the bird flu can occur, so you need to be extra careful.
2007-08-27 17:52:47 · answer #7 · answered by K B 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Germs and maybe mites.. Its just the right thing to do
2007-08-30 14:57:46 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
listen to kimba. she said it
2007-09-02 13:16:05 · answer #9 · answered by chaluppa 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋