Zoonoses with public health relevance in poultry

Abstract

The two most important and most frequently occurring diseases transmitted from poultry to humans are Salmonellosis and Campylobacteriosis. Both are food borne diseases. They rarely cause disease in infected poultry and but frequently diarrhoea in infected humans. Avian Influenza and Newcastle Disease can cause severe disease in poultry flocks. Transmission to humans by direct contact is possible. Avian influenza viruses can cause respiratory disease in humans, which may be lethal, while Newcastle Disease Virus usually only causes conjunctivitis. Chlamydiosis is a systemic disease characterized by respiratory symptoms. Via inhalation of aerosols it can spread to humans, where the disease is called psittacosis or ornithosis. Main symptoms are respiratory signs. Erysipelas is a septicemic disease, mostly in turkeys, but also in ducks and laying hens. If transmitted to humans via skin injuries it causes a localized swelling and purple discolouration at the infection site. Avian tuberculosis may be transmitted from pet birds to immunocompromised humans. Transmission from poultry is rare, but cases diagnosed in poultry usually concern the owners.