Prevention is by wearing protective clothing when handling birds, eggs or body tissues. Human infection occurs through wounds made by bites or scratches and may cause acute pneumonia or septicemic disease. Wear protective clothing and gloves. With some strains of the virus, many birds will die. Humans usually only get conjunctivitis, but fever and flu-like symptoms may last up to three weeks.
Transmission is by inhalation of infectious aerosols.
Hygienic precautions are needed when handling infected birds. In birds, protozoan parasites, of the genus Eimeria, may cause mucoid or bloody diarrhea, dehydration, ruffled feathers, anemia and weakness. The protozoan is easily transmitted from cage to cage by room dust, or tiny bits of feces clinging to the hands or clothing of the caretakers. Although coccidia species are host specific and the risk of infection to humans is extremely low, birds infected with this parasite should be treated. Nevertheless, any bird noted to be infected with mites or lice should be immediately treated.