Bird colonies in the laboratory setting are closely managed to produce high quality, healthy animal models. The likelihood of a person contracting a disease from a bird is very low. However, there is always a risk of an outbreak occurring within a colony, either from new animals being introduced into an established colony or from individuals with asymptomatic disease-carrying pet birds inadvertently contaminating a colony via their shoes or clothing. The species of birds maintained at UCSF are usually docile animals. Psittacosis is a disease caused by the bacteria, Chlamydia psittaci .
Psittacosis is common in wild birds of all types and can occur in laboratory bird colonies as well.
Serious cases can result in extensive pneumonia, hepatitis, myocarditis, thrombophlebitis, and encephalitis. It is responsive to antibiotic therapy. Relapses occur in untreated infections. Avian Tuberculosis caused by the bacteria, Mycobacterium avium , and Newcastle disease, caused by a paramyxovirus, both pose a potential hazard, although both diseases are more closely associated with chickens and wild birds. As in other species, Salmonella , and other enteric pathogens can cause disease in humans.