'In the event of the infection being present in our wild bird population, there is a danger to all avian species, wild, feral and domestic - and that includes pigeons. We have at this stage to assume that all avian species are capable of being infected with this virus, unless we know otherwise,' said Dr. Bob McCracken, former President, British Veterinary Association.
Inhalation of faecal dust from bird flu infected pigeons could pose a significant health hazard to human beings. Pigeons have already been known to spread a flu like illness (psittacosis) that can result in pneumonia, liver damage and even death.
Close contact with poultry, inhalation of dried faecal discharges form infected chickens has been responsible for bird flu transmission from chickens to human beings. Bird flu virus has claimed the valuable lives of 93 individuals and infected more than 150 others, ever since it emerged in 2003.
Although the probability of transmission of the bird flu virus to wild birds is negligible, it cannot be ignored. Waterfowl such as geese, poultry and ducks are main carriers of the H5N1 virus. Causalities have also been reported in doves, hawks, starlings, pigeons, thrushes and crows.
