Pigeon Public Health Concerns
The most common health concerns
associated with starlings, crows, and pigeons involve disease that could result
from inhalation exposure to large accumulations of droppings. Histoplasmosis
cases are not reported in the Pacific Northwest, but do occur in other parts of
the United States. Psittacosis, caused by the organism Chlamydia psittaci,
can be related to exposure to pigeons or their droppings.
When working in or cleaning up areas where large amounts of bird (or bat) droppings occur, follow these precautions to minimize risk from disease organisms in the droppings:
When working in or cleaning up areas where large amounts of bird (or bat) droppings occur, follow these precautions to minimize risk from disease organisms in the droppings:
- Wear a National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) approved full-face respirator with a
high-efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter for screening particles down to 0.3
microns in size. Simple dust and particle masks will not provide adequate
protection. Make sure the respirator is properly fitted to your face before
work starts. Contact the manufacturer for specific information. Respirators are
available for purchase in larger hardware, paint, and home supply outlets.
- Wear disposable protective gloves, a
hat, coveralls, and boots. When finished, and while still wearing the
respirator, remove this protective clothing and place it in a plastic bag. If you
wear non-disposable coveralls, be sure to put them in a plastic bag after you
are finished wearing them, and keep the bag tied until you are ready to wash
them. Wash the coveralls separately from other clothing before you wear them
again.
- Wet down the droppings to keep
spores from becoming airborne, and keep the droppings damp for as long as you
are working with them.
- Put droppings into sealed plastic
garbage bags.
- Dispose of trash bags (disposal
should be permissible through standard trash pickup).
Wash or shower after you have removed your protective clothing.
This information was provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link, and Michael Holmquist
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