What diseases are contagious to humans?

[tabatha_westcott]

Is it common for people to get sick from chickens? What kind of diseases can be passed from chicken to human? I'm pregnant and my father says I should stay away from our chicks. Is he right or just paranoid? We don't have, or have ever had, any sick chickens. But I do have 19 3 week old chicks I am hand raising.

 

[Rhett&SarahsMom]

as far as I know only the bird flu can be passed to humans. But there have been no cases of that here in the US thus far.
I would be careful about the chicken poop, but then again I cleaned the cat litter box the entire time I was pregnant with my dd and was/am fine.

My neighbor questioned me if the reason my dd has been so sick this year was because of the chickens. I quickly told her that it was because she is now in school and is bringing everyone else germs home.

 

[Chickenmaven]

Histoplasmosis is something many are exposed to in their coops. I understand that it is usually only a problem for the very young or frail. Here's a link:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/histoplasmosis/DS00517

 

[PortageGirl]

Well, first off, call you're doctor... or the extension office, or both, cause none of us are doctors, (or a few may be, but even they arent going to hand out medical advice) but this question has been discussed once lately here > https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=125967 and most opinions seem to be that:

A) To the knowledge of most of us, not much real problem disease wise, the two already mentioned are quite rare, and I think Histoplasmosis is more from the most dusty/dirty and extended exposure types of tasks.
A) Chicks are rather dusty, and it's probably best to wear a dust mask around them, not cause of HP, just cause they're dusty.
B) Lifting shovels of poo while cleaning a coop, or being exposed to any amonia fumes from a very dirty coop are all best to be avoided.
C) Don't be hauling heavy buckets of water or 50# sacks of feed around.

I've never known a single person who ever got sick FROM their chickens. I've heard kids say they were sick OF cleaning the coop! I probably tried that when I was 14 or so myself! I still had to muck it out.

Women have been caring for the chicks and chickens on farms for hundreds of years...

Use common sense.

 

[AHappychick]

toxoplasmosis (sp?) is what you want to avoid while preggers. I dont know about chicken poop (but I know wild birds do carry it) I was always told not to change kitty litter while pregnant because the cats can get it from the birds. I would not clean the bird poo if possible but would not stress it. Toxoplasmosis is dangerous to unborn babies though so be careful.

 

[QuailHollow]

Quote:
I agree completely. I'm 34 weeks pregnant, and have not stopped caring for my birds from day 1. I only lift the smaller 25lb sacks now, and use a dusk mask when cleaning or sweeping up the coop. Otherwise, it's handled as normal.

 

[Rusty Hills Farm]

From Washington State's website:

Handling chicks and ducklings poses a potential health risk of Salmonella. Salmonella are a common cause of food-borne illness, but can also be spread to people by direct contact with animals that carry the bacteria. Children are particularly at risk of illness because they are less likely to wash their hands and have more frequent hand-to-mouth contact than adults.

Salmonella is a common one that folks don't often think about.

HTH​

 

[Skip]

Any disease can morph from a bird-only to a deadly human bacteria or virus. Just be careful, wash hands and don't let poo accumulate, you'll be just fine.

If you're worried, wear a respirator. It's not a bad thing to use.

 

[Kimiko]

Salmonella and Campylobacter are the big ones.

Histoplasmosis and Aspergillosis are also possibles.