To avoid illness, experts recommend avoiding exposure to wild birds. Bell Bird Control prevents exposure to bacteria and viruses that harm people by preventing birds from landing on buildings and cleaning up bird nests, droppings, and waste. Bird exclusion stops the disease-causing organisms commonly found in bird droppings from spreading to a building's occupants and employees. Learn more about the risks of bird exposure below.

There is a current threat of Avian Flu in the US that is of growing concern to experts and the public. This disease has jumped to people in a growing number of cases, with the first death reported in January 2025 after exposure to a backyard flock and wild birds. Bird Flu has been a significant issue for our food supply, farmers, and consumers since 2022, causing egg and poultry prices to spike (and keep rising) as millions of chickens and turkeys were euthanized. Avian Flu now affects dairy cows and livestock. It was alarming news that during the latter half of 2024, cows in 645 dairies in California tested positive for H5N1, even as many ranchers have taken strict precautions to stop the virus from spreading. Farmers are calling H5N1 Avian Flu “Covid for Cows.”

As a result, USDA is testing the milk supply for Avian Flu. Experts believe that Bird Flu could be the next pandemic for people as this disease leaps from birds to mammals (including cats via the food supply and direct exposure)to humans.  The risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is rising.

The H5N1 bird flu sample in an infected person showed mutations that may help the virus bind to cells in the upper airways of people. These ‘Concerning’ Mutations and tiny genetic alterations could help the bird flu virus enter cells in the upper respiratory tract, the C.D.C. said.)

Bird control solutions lessen our exposure to wild birds and this concerning HPAI virus.

Bell Bird Control is tracking the news about the spread of H5N1 D1.1 genotype, H5N1 B3.13 genotype, and H5N9 and the growing concern of Avian Influenza in the US.

📊 Monthly Trends: January 2024 – April 2025

1. Human Infections

• Total Cases: At least 70 confirmed human cases, including one fatality.

• Exposure Sources: Primarily linked to infected poultry and dairy cattle.

• Symptoms: Most cases presented mild symptoms such as conjunctivitis; no evidence of human-to-human transmission.

• Geographic Distribution: California reported the highest number of cases, with 38 confirmed infections.

2. Poultry Impact

• Birds Affected: Over 168 million poultry affected across 51 jurisdictions.

• Culling Events: Approximately 30.6 million chickens culled in nine states as of April 2025.

• Reinfections: Multiple farms experienced repeated outbreaks, highlighting challenges in containment. ​

3. Dairy Cattle Infections

• Herds Affected: 989 dairy herds across 17 states confirmed with H5N1 infections as of March 2025.

• Transmission: The virus spread rapidly among herds, with California experiencing significant increases.

4. Wild Birds

• Detections: H5N1 detected in 12,581 wild birds across all 51 jurisdictions as of March 2025.

• Role in Spread: Wild birds are considered a significant vector in the transmission of the virus to domestic animals.​

5. Other Mammals

• Swine: First U.S. case of H5N1 in swine confirmed in Oregon in October 2024.

• Pets: Cats and other pets have shown susceptibility to H5N1, prompting advisories on pet food safety.

Urban pest birds promote the transmission of several types of diseases and illnesses. These nuisance birds (pigeons, starlings, crows, house sparrows, and gulls) transmit diseases in many ways. Bird droppings contaminate food and water, dried droppings contain dormant fungi and/or bacteria. Bird excrement causes respiratory infections (Psittacosis) in lunch areas when people breathe them. Birds carry 22 zoonotic organisms, of which at least seven affect the human respiratory system.

Ectoparasites (fleas, ticks, and mites) live on and with urban pest birds will migrate into living and working environments to bite people.

Several thousand cases of food poisoning (Salmonella) occur every year. Food poisoning is caused by the Salmonella bacterium getting into exposed food. A main source of the Salmonella bacteria is dried fecal dust from air vents covered in bird droppings. In 2021, the Center for Disease Control warned of a Salmonella outbreak linked to wild songbirds.

Cryptococcosis in humans usually begins as a primary infection of the lungs. When the involvement becomes apparent, the symptoms may include cough, chest pain, weight loss, fever, or dizziness. Most cryptococcal infections occur from inhalation of the fungus along with the dust from areas exposed to pigeon droppings.

When birds get inside stores, hangars, and garages their droppings often fall onto painted floors and other surfaces This leads to risks of employees slipping on wet droppings and workplace safety risks.

Accumulations of bird droppings on sidewalks, steps, and fire escapes may render them hazardous. There are numerous instances where sidewalks become slippery underfoot due to bird waste.

Practical Tips For Property Managers. People with close and unprotected contact to animals & their secretions are at greater risk of infection. We recommend you:

•Update workplace health and safety plans.

•Train workers on the risks of exposure and how to protect themselves.

•Wash your hands.

•Change your clothes and shoes, and thoroughly wash any exposed skin: 1- After any exposure to sick or dead animals; 2- Before interacting with your cat.

•Issue protective equipment to workers who may encounter birds and their droppings.

•Clean and disinfect surfaces, equipment, and areas that may be contaminated.

•Treat bird droppings as hazardous waste.

•Professional cleaners need respirators & HEPA filters when removing bird waste.

•Encourage employees and tenants to maintain their flu shots & be cautious about health risks

•Pay attention to public health experts and government announcements at all levels.

Bird deterrent systems guard residents against Sick Building Syndrome. Sick Building Syndrome is a set complex symptoms and health deficiencies that people can experience when inside particular buildings. Over 60 diseases associated with pest birds can be spread to thousands of people simultaneously when bird droppings accumulate in or near HVAC systems. Heating-Ventilation-Air Conditioning systems can then easily spread disease-causing organisms to every occupant in the building. In many instances, tenants of "Sick Buildings" are at risk for serious and sometimes life-threatening illnesses.

Some of the most common illnesses that result from exposure to bird droppings are Tuberculosis, Encephalitis, Meningitis, Chlamydiosis, Salmonellosis, Fowl Typhoid, Fowl Cholera, Newcastle Disease, Pullorum Disease, Histoplasmosis, Spirochetosis, Streptococcus, and Q Fever. However, most occupants and maintenance workers of these buildings pre­dominantly suffer from repeated eye infections, burning eyes, respiratory distress, and headaches.