Some diseases can be transmitted from animals to people such as ringworm and chlamydia. Always wash your hands, preferably with an anti-bacterial soap, before and after handling the animal. Wear rubber gloves if you suspect poisoning or disease and leather gloves to handle bats. Most 'orphan' birds are not really orphans at all, but fledglings which have 'crash landed' on their first flight. They should be left alone or put in a safer place off the ground.
Genuine orphans are rare, and usually result from a destroyed nest.
If possible, these orphans should be placed in another nest of the same species, as birds readily foster such young or in an artificial nest placed near the original nest. Alternatively, nestlings can be hand-reared. Avoid the bird imprinting on you by using a hand puppet of the parent bird. Hygiene Hygiene is the single most important factor in preventing disease in young birds. Fresh food should be made up for each feed.