RT34: Zoonoses: Diseases of humans spread by birds; are they on the increase?
John E. Cooper1 & Jan Pinowski2
1Wildlife Health Services, P.O. Box 153, Wellingborough, NN8 2ZA UK, 2Department of Vertebrate Ecology, Institute of Ecology PAS, 05-092 Lomianki, Poland, e-mail ekolog@warman.com.pl
Cooper, J.E. & Pinowski, J. 1999. Zoonoses: Diseases of humans spread by birds; are they on the increase? In: Adams, N.J. & Slotow, R.H. (eds) Proc. 22 Int. Ornithol. Congr., Durban: 3224. Johannesburg: BirdLife South Africa.
The discussion will examine the risks to humans from infectious diseases transmitted by birds. Not only on the better known conditions, such as salmonellosis and chlamydiosis, but also novel threats arising from such factors as greater proximity between birds and humans and increased susceptibility of the latter due to immunosupression. Discussion should encompass the role of environmental changes such as irrigation schemes that can encourage the establishment of invertebrates which may transmit viruses and other micro-organisms. Real and potential health risks to ornithologists, especially field workers and bird ringers (banders), who handle birds or their derivatives, will be addressed.
Note: For complete report see under Congress Business, Appendix 2.