Infectious organisms may be contained in a bird's:
(1) nasal discharge
(2) ocular discharge
(3) feathers
(4) feces
(5) urine
Contaminated discharges or excreta may persist for long periods if contained in litter, feces or organic material.
Birds that are asymptomatic chronic carriers may shed the organism, especially when stressed (shipping, crowding, chilling, breeding).
A human can become infected by:
(1) handling or shipping symptomatic birds with acute infection
(2) having intimate contact with a sick or dead pet bird (kissing, hugging, other)
(3) being bitten by an infected bird
(4) inhalation of an aerosol
Risk factors when housing and caring for birds:
(1) failure to use personal protective equipment around birds and their cages
(2) failure to quarantine recently acquired or ill birds
(3) stacking cages or allowing material to spread between cages
(4) failure to clean the cages frequently
(5) failure to use soap and disinfectant when cleaning
(6) poor ventilation
(7) generation of aerosols while cleaning
(8) failure to adhere to regulations for importation of birds
