The bacteria and health problems that Adelaide birds spread include: Salmonella– a typhoid-like intestinal infection. Ornithosis– symptoms range from flu like illness to pneumonia. Bird fanciers lung– an allergic condition caused by exposure to dust inhaled from bird debris. Cryptococosis– a very serious illness, which begins as a lung infection but can progress to the meninges of the brain and cause Meningitis. Escherichia Coli (E-Coli)– contracted orally by ingesting food or water contaminated with a pathogenic strain shed by an infected person or animal. Recent research at Lancaster University UK has linked its spread to gulls. Fleas, mites, lice and flies – these cause irritating bites, and are a further spread of infection to people using the areas close to nesting or roosting sites.