Pigeons on the street are strangely shaking their heads - what's wrong with them, and is it contagious (4 photos)

The disease, which makes the pigeon chaotically twist its head and turn its neck at an unnatural angle, is scientifically called Newcastle disease or pseudo-plague of birds, and in common parlance - chickenpox. It affects pigeons most often in the warm season, starting in the spring.





The pathogen of Newcastle disease affects the nervous system, as a result of which the pigeon's body loses control over the coordination of movements. In the early stages, the gait of the infected bird becomes unsteady, and the head is often tilted to the side. Then the pigeon completely loses the ability to walk, fly and eat normally, it stands or lies in one place, constantly turning its head, turning its beak almost vertically upwards.



The disease develops relatively slowly, so the sick pigeon most often dies not from the disease itself, but from the fact that it cannot eat and drink normally. People who undertake to treat such pigeons feed them, holding their head in a normal position. There are no other options to feed and water the bird: the pigeon tries to peck at the food, but does not hit it, misses.





Usually pigeons with the disease break away from the flock because they are physically unable to follow it, or because healthy birds drive them away (this is a normal instinct for self-preservation, since the disease is easily transmitted to healthy individuals). But it happens that entire flocks of infected pigeons appear in cities. This means that the disease has become an epidemic.



Newcastle disease is transmitted through food, water and airborne droplets. It is difficult to cure a pigeon (I tried once, but it did not work). And it is very dangerous to come into contact with a sick bird if you have your own at home, since this virus affects not only pigeons, but also decorative poultry and farm birds too.

Is vertigo dangerous for people

Yes. It is extremely rare, but infection with it does occur, although the data on the consequences do not look very frightening. And yet, pseudo-plague of birds can be dangerous for humans.

Here is what, for example, is written about Newcastle disease on the official page of the Office of the Federal Service for Surveillance on Consumer Rights Protection and Human Wellbeing in the Republic of Bashkortostan:

A person becomes infected by inhaling dust contaminated with the virus. Infection is possible when the virus is brought into the conjunctiva of the eyes by contaminated hands. The natural susceptibility of people is low. The incidence is sporadic. The incubation period is from 3 to 7 days.

The disease usually occurs with a low temperature, like acute catarrh of the respiratory tract (ARD). Conjunctivitis is possible. In children, cases of the disease with symptoms of brain damage have been noted.

Prevention: compliance with sanitary and hygienic rules. Immunoprophylaxis measures have not been developed.

Sporadic means isolated, random. That is, people are extremely rarely infected with pseudoplague of birds. The disease proceeds like flu, characterized by mild malaise and conjunctivitis. And yet! It is undesirable to hand feed even seemingly healthy pigeons, especially to let children do it.

After contact with any bird on the street, you should immediately wash your hands and/or treat them with an antiseptic, and also remember that you cannot touch your eyes and mouth with unwashed hands.