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The Occupational Health and Safety Program is designed to inform individuals who work with animals about potential zoonosis (disease of animals transmissible to humans), personal hygiene and other potential hazards associated with animal exposure. This information sheet is directed toward those involved in the care and use of laboratory owls and other birds.
Owls can carry organisms that may be potentially infectious to humans. The laboratory setting is closely managed to minimize risk to the colony as well as to personnel working with the colony. The likelihood of a person contracting a disease from an owl is rare. However, there is always a risk of an outbreak occurring within a colony. The outbreak could be caused by a new animal introduced into the colony. Or outbreaks can be caused by animal handlers with asymptomatic disease-carrying pet birds inadvertently contaminating shoes or clothing and introducing it into the colony. The development of disease in the human host often requires a preexisting state that compromises the immune system. If you have an immune-compromising medical condition or you are taking medications that impair your immune system (steroids, immunosuppressive drugs, or chemotherapy) you are at higher risk for contracting a bird or owl disease and should consult your physician. The following is a list of known and potential bird or owl zoonosis.
Psittacosis is a disease caused by the bacteria, Chlamydia psittaci. Psittacosis is common in wild birds although it may occur in laboratory animals, too. The disease is spread by direct contact or from exudative materials (e.g. pus), secretions or feces. Direct contact is not necessary. Disease in people occurs 7-14 days after exposure; an infected human will experience respiratory illness from flu-like symptoms to pneumonia. Serious cases can result in hepatitis, myocarditis, and thrombophlebitis.
Avian tuberculosis is transmitted from an infected animals or animal tissue primarily via the aerosol route, although exposure may also come from cutaneous inoculation of the bacilli. Exposure to infected tissue, dusty bedding of infected animals, coughing of infected animals and aerosolization of the organism during sanitation procedures may also be sources of the disease. M. avium is rare in laboratory animals.
There are several other bacterial diseases that are possibly, though rarely, spread through working with owls. These include Salmonellosis, Campylobacteriosis, Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae, Newcastle disease virus, Pasteurella multocida, Histoplasma capsulatum, Salmonellosis, Yersinia pseudotuberculosis, and other enteric pathogens. Good handwashing and appropriate use of gloves are adequate measures to protect from these diseases.
Allergic reaction and hypersensitivity pneumonitis are potential occupational risk when working with owls. Those workers that have other allergies are at particular risk. Allergens are generally from bird proteins as sources of antigens. Hypersensitivity pneumonitis is a lung condition with symptoms that mimic pneumonia. Signs of allergic reaction after exposure to birds are rhinitis and asthma. Signs and symptoms of both allergic reactions and hypersensitivity occur several hours after exposure.
Owls can easily be startled and react in such a way as to cause injury to the worker. As a protective measure protective equipment should be worn, as well as learning how best to work around the animals to minimize this behavior.
