Wild birds including migratory species may play a significant role in the epidemiology of influenza A virus, arboviruses such as West Nile virus and enteric bacterial pathogens. An association with transmission from birds to humans was identified for 10 pathogens. Several wild and migratory birds serve as reservoirs and/or mechanical vectors (simply carrying a pathogen or dispersing infected arthropod vectors) for numerous infectious agents. Transmission to humans was classified as direct if there is published evidence for such transmission from the avian species to a person or indirect if the transmission requires a vector other than the avian species. The evidence for direct transmission of an avian borne pathogen to a human was assessed.

The objective of the current paper is to summarize available literature on pathogens causing human disease that have been associated with wild bird species.Ī systematic literature search was performed to identify specific pathogens known to be associated with wild and migratory birds. Wild birds and especially migratory species can become long-distance vectors for a wide range of microorganisms.

83 t bird