If you accidentally touch bird droppings with your bare hands, don’t panic. While exposure to bird feces does carry some health risks, the chances of getting seriously ill are very low if you follow proper hygiene practices.
Can touching bird poop make you sick?
Bird droppings contain bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites. Many of these organisms are harmless, but some can cause illness in humans under the right conditions. Diseases that may be associated with bird feces exposure include:
- Histoplasmosis – A fungal infection that can cause flu-like symptoms and pneumonia
- Cryptococcosis – A fungal infection that most often affects the lungs and brain
- Psittacosis – A bacterial infection that causes fever, chills, headache, rashes
- Campylobacteriosis – A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, cramping, abdominal pain
- Salmonella – A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps
- E. coli – A bacterial infection that causes diarrhea, urinary tract infections, respiratory illness
- Giardiasis – A protozoan infection that causes diarrhea, gas, greasy stools
However, the chances of becoming sick after simply touching dried bird droppings are very low. The droppings would need to enter your body through your mouth, eyes, open sores, or inhalation for infection to occur.
What should you do immediately after contact with bird poop?
If you happen to touch dried bird droppings with your bare hands, you should take the following steps right away:
- Wash your hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth before washing up.
- Clean any surfaces that were exposed to the droppings using a disinfectant or diluted bleach solution.
- Consider changing your clothes, especially if the droppings got on sleeves or pants legs and came into contact with your skin.
- Monitor yourself for any flu-like symptoms over the next few days, as some diseases caused by bird droppings have an incubation period.
Proper handwashing is the most important step you can take to prevent potential illness after touching bird feces. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap, scrubbing all surfaces of your hands. This will physically remove most microorganisms that could be present.
How to safely clean up bird droppings
If you need to clean up dried bird droppings, either inside your home or outside, take the following precautions:
- Wear gloves, a face mask, and eye protection.
- Spray the droppings with a disinfectant or bleach solution and let sit for 5-10 minutes.
- Use a sturdy disposable item like a cardboard scraper or old gift card to scoop up the mess into a plastic bag.
- Mop or wipe the area with disinfectant.
- Double bag the waste before disposing of it.
- Disinfect any cleaning tools used.
- Remove gloves, mask, and wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Take extra care if cleaning up large amounts of droppings or areas with accumulated feces over time, like a balcony or patio. The higher concentration increases infection risk. Wearing personal protective equipment reduces exposure.
Precautions for high-risk individuals
Some people are at higher risk for developing an infection from bird droppings exposure. These high-risk groups should take extra precautions:
- Young children
- Pregnant women
- Elderly individuals
- Those with weakened immune systems
- Individuals with chronic lung conditions like COPD
High-risk individuals should avoid direct contact with bird droppings when possible. Caregivers and parents of young children should ensure proper handwashing if exposure occurs. Those who handle bird feces regularly, like poultry farmers or bird breeders, need to take routine safety precautions as well.
Can bird poop make dogs or cats sick?
Yes, dogs and cats can become ill after being in contact with bird droppings. Salmonella and Campylobacter are two common bacteria in bird feces that can infect pets. If a dog or cat ingests contaminated feces directly or picks it up on their coat, they could develop digestive symptoms like vomiting or diarrhea. In rare cases, more severe illness can occur if the infection spreads.
To keep pets safe, avoid areas with bird droppings like roosting spots or feeders. Clean up droppings in your own yard promptly. Make sure your pet is up-to-date on vaccinations and deworming, which provides some protection. Call your veterinarian if you notice any gastrointestinal symptoms after possible exposure to bird feces.
Diseases transmitted by bird poop
Here is more detailed information on some of the main illnesses humans can contract from bird droppings and their symptoms:
Histoplasmosis
- Caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum
- Found in soil contaminated by bird or bat droppings
- Symptoms include fever, cough, fatigue, chest pain, joint pain
- Can progress to a serious lung infection if untreated
- More common in midwestern and eastern states with river valleys
- Associated with roosting sites and old chicken coops
Cryptococcosis
- Caused by the fungus Cryptococcus neoformans
- Often transmitted through inhalation exposure to droppings
- Symptoms may include cough, fever, headache, muscle aches
- Frequently causes pneumonia or meningitis if infection spreads
Psittacosis
- Caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci
- Transmitted through inhalation of dust from droppings
- Associated with parrots, parakeets and other tropical birds
- Symptoms include fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, cough
- Can lead to pneumonia, meningitis, or endocarditis if untreated
Campylobacteriosis
- Caused by bacteria like Campylobacter jejuni
- Ingesting only a few hundred bacteria can cause illness
- Symptoms include diarrhea (often bloody), fever, cramps, nausea
- Usually a self-limiting illness, but can be serious in infants or elderly
Salmonella
- Caused by various Salmonella bacteria species
- As few as seven bacteria can start infection
- Symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, headache, nausea
- Lasts 4-7 days typically, but can spread to bloodstream and become dangerous
E. coli
- Caused by Escherichia coli bacteria
- Certain strains like O157:H7 are more likely to cause serious illness
- Symptoms involve severe stomach cramps, diarrhea (often bloody), vomiting
- Can lead to kidney failure in some cases due to toxin released
Giardiasis
- Caused by the parasite Giardia lamblia
- Found in soil, food, or water contaminated by feces
- Symptoms include diarrhea, gas, greasy stools, stomach cramps, nausea
- May last 2-6 weeks without treatment
- More common in developing countries with poor sanitation
Many of these diseases are difficult to distinguish based on symptoms alone. Seek medical care if you experience any severe or prolonged gastrointestinal symptoms after potential exposure to bird droppings.
Steps to prevent exposure
You can take the following measures to avoid coming into contact with bird droppings in the first place:
- Do not touch or handle wild birds directly. Appreciate them from a distance.
- Wear a face mask, gloves, and hat when working in areas known to have bird feces buildup like attics or barns.
- Avoid areas where wild birds congregate like ponds or bird feeders.
- Keep pet food indoors so it does not attract wild birds into your yard.
- Use netting over vegetable gardens and orchards to block birds from contaminating crops.
- Clean up any droppings or nests on your property promptly using protective equipment.
- Have chimneys and rooftops professionally cleaned if wild birds are roosting there.
Being aware of your surroundings helps you steer clear of areas with heavy bird droppings. Take sensible precautions when working in known hotspots. Backyard feeders should be positioned away from homes and cleaned periodically.
When to see a doctor
In most cases, promptly washing your hands after touching dried bird droppings is sufficient. However, you should seek medical evaluation if you experience:
- Flu-like symptoms within 2 weeks after contact with bird feces
- Cough, fever, or night sweats lasting over 1 week
- Difficulty breathing or chest pain when taking a deep breath
- Diarrhea lasting over 48 hours, especially if bloody or mucus-filled
- Repeated projectile vomiting or inability to hold down liquids
- Signs of confusion, stiff neck, or decreased consciousness
- A weakened immune system that makes you more prone to infection
Let your doctor know about any recent exposure to bird droppings when describing your symptoms. Prompt antibiotic treatment may be needed for certain bacterial illnesses. Seek emergency care if you have trouble breathing or any symptoms of shock like low blood pressure, clammy skin, or blue lips or nails.
Conclusion
Touching bird poop does not mean you will automatically get sick. However, bird droppings do contain harmful organisms. Use good hygiene and take protective measures when exposure cannot be avoided. Monitor for any unusual symptoms after contact and see a physician if they persist or worsen. With sensible precautions, the risks from bird feces can be minimized.
