Medycyna Wet. 62 (5), 531-535, 2006
| Piasecki T. |
| Evaluation of urban pigeon (Columba livia f. urbana) health status in relation to their threat to human's health |
| The aim of the study was to investigate the health situation of feral pigeons in Wroclaw in relation to human health. The study was carried out in 2002-2003 and conducted on 237 pigeons from Wroc³aw. The results revealed that PMV-1 antibody was prevalent in 48.3% of the studied pigeons, Chlamydophila psittaci in 32.4%, Toxpolasma gondii in 75.6% and no avian influenza antibodies were found. Microbiological investigations indicated that S. Typhimurium was present in 11.0% pigeons, Candidia sp. in 78.1% and Aspergillus sp. in 75.6%. Parasitological investigations indicated Trichomonas sp. in 49.8%, Eimeria sp. in 64.1%, Ascaridia sp. in 30.4%, Capillaria sp. in 48.1% and Raillietina sp. in 24.9% of the birds. Feral pigeon can be a source of S. Typhimurium and Chlamydophila psittaci infections for humans as well as having an indirect influence on Toxoplasma gondii infections in cats and humans. |
| Keywords: feral pigeon, disease of pigeons |