Zoonotic Risks and Mitigation in Wild Bird Rehabilitation
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Caring for wild birds brings us into close contact with animals that may be sick, injured or carrying disease. Most of the time this contact causes no problems, but some diseases can pass between birds and people. These are known as zoonotic diseases.
For wildlife rehabilitators, understanding the risks does not mean being afraid of the birds in our care. It means knowing where exposure can occur and building sensible hygiene and biosecurity practices into our everyday routines.
Zoonotic diseases to be aware of
There are several diseases associated with wild birds that can potentially affect people. Three worth being familiar with are:
Avian influenza (bird flu)
Avian influenza viruses primarily affect birds, although some strains can also infect mammals, including people. Wild waterbirds are particularly associated with avian influenza viruses, and birds of prey and scavenging species may also be exposed through contact with infected birds or carcasses.
H5 bird flu has now been detected in wild birds in New Zealand, so rehabilitators should keep up to date with current guidance from the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI).
Salmonella
Salmonella bacteria can occur in birds and may cause illness in both birds and people. Infection can be spread through faecal contamination and contaminated surfaces, food, water or equipment.
Campylobacter
Campylobacter is another bacterial infection that can be carried by birds and can cause illness in people. Good hand hygiene and careful handling of potentially contaminated materials are important ways of reducing exposure.
Where does the risk come from?
Direct contact with sick birds
Handling and treating sick wildlife naturally creates one of the most direct opportunities for exposure.
The level of protection required will depend on the bird, its clinical signs and the disease risks involved. Appropriate personal protective equipment may include gloves, protective clothing, eye protection and respiratory protection.
PPE works best as part of a wider biosecurity routine rather than being treated as the only line of defence.
The things we touch
Disease does not always travel directly from bird to person.
Fomites are objects or surfaces that can carry infectious material from one place to another. In a rehabilitation setting, some of the most easily overlooked examples are:
Phones
Pens and pencils (Colour-coding pens for different zones is a good idea too. As an example, it quickly identifies if a pen has come from a dirty area to a clean area).
footwear
clothing
hands
feeding equipment
towels and bedding
transport boxes
cleaning equipment
A phone used while handling a bird and then taken into the kitchen is a simple example of how contamination can travel much further than we realise.
Dedicated rehabilitation footwear, such as gumboots, and clothing or jackets kept within bird-care areas can help reduce this risk. Regular hand washing remains one of the simplest and most useful biosecurity measures.
Cleaning first, disinfecting second
One of the most important principles in rehabilitation hygiene is that cleaning and disinfecting are not the same thing.
Droppings, food, mud, feathers and other organic material can reduce the effectiveness of many disinfectants. Spraying disinfectant onto a dirty surface may therefore give us a false sense that an area has been properly sanitised.
Physical cleaning comes first.
Remove the organic material, wash the surface thoroughly and then use an appropriate disinfectant according to its instructions, including the correct dilution and contact time.
Sometimes, good old-fashioned scrubbing really is an important part of disease prevention.
Your facility can make cleaning easier
The materials used in a rehabilitation area can make a considerable difference to how easily it can be kept clean.
Rough, porous or damaged surfaces can trap organic material and provide places for microorganisms and pests to persist. Unsealed wood, particularly when cracked or worn, can be difficult to clean effectively.
Where practical, smooth non-porous materials such as sealed surfaces, stainless steel and aluminium are much easier to wash and disinfect.
This is worth considering when designing new aviaries, hospital areas, feeding stations and rehabilitation equipment. A surface that can be cleaned easily every day is generally far more useful than one that looks good but is difficult to sanitise.
Birds do not always look sick
Wild birds have evolved to conceal weakness and illness, sometimes until disease is quite advanced. For a rehabilitator, this means a bird that appears reasonably bright may still be carrying an infection or parasite burden.
Observation is important, but appearance alone cannot tell us everything.
Changes in droppings, appetite, weight, behaviour, posture and activity can all provide useful clues. Veterinary examination and appropriate diagnostic testing can help when disease is suspected.
Faecal examinations, including faecal egg counts where appropriate, can also identify some parasite burdens that might otherwise go unnoticed.
Small habits make a big difference
Good zoonotic disease prevention does not need to make rehabilitation complicated. Much of it comes down to consistent everyday habits:
wash your hands thoroughly after handling birds or contaminated equipment, even if you have worn gloves
keep dedicated footwear and clothing for rehabilitation areas where possible
avoid taking phones and other personal items into contaminated areas
clean surfaces before applying disinfectant
follow correct disinfectant dilution and contact times
separate sick or suspect birds when appropriate
clean equipment between patients
monitor birds closely for changes in health or behaviour
seek veterinary advice when disease is suspected
stay familiar with current disease and biosecurity guidance
No rehabilitation facility can remove every disease risk. The aim is to understand where those risks occur and reduce them wherever reasonably possible.
For rehabilitators, good biosecurity protects more than our own health. It also helps protect the other birds in our care, our families and pets, other wildlife, and the wider community.
Keep guidance current
Disease situations and recommendations can change. For current information on avian influenza and other important animal disease threats in New Zealand, always check the latest guidance from Biosecurity New Zealand and the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) rather than relying on older printed information or saved advice.
Wildlife rehabilitation will always involve close contact with animals. A little planning, sensible hygiene and consistent biosecurity can make that contact considerably safer for everyone involved.
Further information
Disease risks and biosecurity recommendations can change, particularly during an emerging disease situation.
For the latest New Zealand information on H5 bird flu (high pathogenicity avian influenza), including current detections, advice and reporting information, visit the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) H5 Bird Flu information page:
Wildlife rehabilitators should always check current MPI guidance and follow any instructions from MPI, Biosecurity New Zealand, DOC and their veterinarian where appropriate. Information in this article is intended as general guidance and should not replace current official advice.
Article Written By
Mandy Robertson – Retired Rehabilitator
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