Bird Diseases

Please do your part to prevent and stop the spread of bird diseases by cleaning your birdfeeder, birdhouse, and birdbath.  See our Tips page for more information about cleaning schedules and methods.

Some bird-related diseases, such as West Nile Virus, may not kill a bird directly, but the bird acts as the "Reservoir" after being bitten by a mosquito or tick (referred to as a “Vector”).  In this scenario, the infected bird acts as a “bridge” when a human or an animal comes in contact with the feces of the bird (from a feeder or birdbath) or is bitten. 

If a bird at your feeder or birdbath that seems lethargic or is not moving or eating very well, it probably has one of several diseases, again most likely caused by improper cleaning.  Please encourage your neighbors and friends to properly maintain their feeders and baths as well.

There are a number of things you can do to protect yourself from many of these mosquito transmitted
diseases. 

  • In summer months, frequently apply mosquito repellents containing DEET.
  • Keep your immune system strong by eating and hydrating properly.  The majority of people who
    die of these types of diseases have compromised immune systems.
  • Create an Organic Eco-System attracting lots of birds & bats.  Birds & bats eat insects—a lot
    of them!  Spraying your properties with insecticides MAY be more hazardous to your health then getting
    bit by a mosquito.  For specific details on how to create an eco-friendly habitat or Contact The
    Bird Man for a consultation.

Please review this chart of diseases below that may affect you, someone you know, or a pet.  This data
is from many sources including WebMD.com, emedicine.com, and the CDC.



Virus (Family) Vector Reservoir Distribution Mortality Rate Specific Clinical
Patterns
Sequelae Season
Eastern equine encephalitis
(alphavirus)
Aedes sollicitans (mosquito) Birds Eastern and Gulf US,
Caribbean
35% Severe, rapid
progression
Common, especially
in children
June to
October
Western equine encephalitis
(alphavirus)
Culex tarsalis (mosquito) Birds Western US 10% Classic
encephalitis
Moderate in infants;
low in others
July to
October
Venezuelan encephalitis
(alphavirus)
Mosquito
species
Horses, small
mammals
South/Central America ~ 0.4 % Low rate (4%) of CNS
involvement
Mild Rainy
season
St. Louis encephalitis
(flavivirus)
Culex pipiens, C tarsalis (mosquito) Birds Widespread in US 2% young people;
20% elderly people
*SIADH More in
elderly people

August  to
October

Japanese B
encephalitis
(flavivirus)

Culex taenior-hynchus (mosquito)

Birds Asia 33% (50%
in elderly people)
Extrapyramidal features 50% neuro
psychiatric;
parkinsonism
Summer
West Nile Virus
(flavivirus)
Culex, Aedes species (mosquito) Birds Africa, Asia,
Europe, USA
In US: 12%
(elderly people only)
Motor/brainstem
involvement
Usually not
prominent
Summer
Far East
tick-borne
encephalitis
(flavivirus)
Ixodes persulcatus (tick) Small
mammals,
birds
Former eastern
Russia
20% Epilepsia partialis
continua
Frequent; residual
weakness
Spring-
early
summer
Central European tick-borne
encephalitis (flavivirus)
Ixodes ricinus (tick) Small
mammals,
birds
Central Europe Less common than in Far East Limb-girdle
paralysis
(spine/medulla)
Less common than in Far East April
to October
Powassan encephalitis
(flavivirus)
Ixodes cookei (tick) Small
mammals,
birds
Canada, northern
US
High Severe
encephalitis
Common (50%) May
to Dec.
Dengue fever
(flavivirus)
Aedes species (mosquito) Mosquitoes Tropics Low, except
hemorrhagic
Flulike
syndrome;
rare CNS
involvement
Mild, except for
hemorrhagic
Rainy
season
La Crosse encephalitis
(bunyavirus)
Aedes triseriatus (mosquito) Small
mammals
Central US Low (<1%) Mild, primarily
in children
Mild; seizures Summer
Colorado tick
fever (orbivirus)
Dermacentor andersoni (tick) Small
mammals
US, Rocky
Mountains area
Low   Mild