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 |
| 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 |
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) |
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 |