Evidence of the role of free-living birds as disseminators of Salmonella spp.

Abstract

This study aimed to review aspects of Salmonella spp. in free-living birds and their potential as disseminators for domestic animals, man, and the environment. Isolation of Salmonella spp. have been reported in several species of wild birds from Passeridae and Fringillidae, among other avian families, captured in countries of North America and Europe, where Salmonella ser. Typhimurium is the most frequently reported serotype. The presence of pathogens, including Salmonella, may be influenced by several factors, such as diet, environment, exposure to antibiotics, infection by pathogenic organisms and migration patterns. Researches with wild birds that live in urbanized environment are important, considering that birds may participate in the transmission of zoonotic pathogens, which are more prevalent in cities due to the human activity. Based on the information collected, this article concludes that wild birds are still important disseminators of pathogens in several geographic regions and may affect man, domestic animals, and other birds.

Multidrug-resistant non-typhoidal Salmonella of public health significance recovered from migratory birds in Bangladesh

“…Salmonella has been found in resident and migratory free-living birds in many countries ( Tizard, 2004 ; Beleza et al, 2020 ). Wild birds can act as vectors that introduce pathogens including Salmonella onto farms, necessitating the need for appropriate biosecurity ( De Lucia et al, 2018 ; Koutsoumanis et al, 2019 ).…”

“…Wild birds can act as vectors that introduce pathogens including Salmonella onto farms, necessitating the need for appropriate biosecurity ( De Lucia et al, 2018 ; Koutsoumanis et al, 2019 ). The role of resident and migratory birds as a reservoir and disseminator of Salmonella ( Tizard, 2004 ; De Lucia et al, 2018 ; Beleza et al, 2020 ; Lin et al, 2020 ), AMR ( Lin et al, 2020 ; Islam et al, 2021 , 2022 ), and viruses ( Gilbert et al, 2010 ; Bi et al, 2015 ) is widely recognized. The aggregation of large mixed species groups of wild birds can facilitate the spread of Salmonella , AMR, and other pathogens.…”

A Preliminary Assessment of the Potential Health and Genetic Impacts of Releasing Confiscated Passerines Into the Wild: A Reduced-Risk Approach

“…The Brazilian poultry industry has considerable socioeconomic importance and the National Avian Health Program (Plano Nacional de Sanidade Avícola-PNSA) establishes official measures for the prevention, control, and surveillance of diseases mainly associated with poultry, i.e., salmonellosis, mycoplasmosis, and Newcastle disease (13). Among the numerous conditions that can affect wild birds (14), PNSA-recognized pathogens can impact avian health in both free-living and commercial flocks (9,10,(14)(15)(16). Whenever the decision is made to return confiscated individuals to the wild, it is crucial to avoid endangering the health, behavioral repertoire, and genetic and conservation status of wild populations of the species, as well as ensure the welfare of the released animals (6)(7)(8)(9)(10).…”

Lack of Evidence That Bird Feeders Are a Source of Salmonellosis during Winter in Poland

“…It has been suggested that bird feeding sites, especially dead birds and their droppings, may play a significant role in the transmission of salmonellosis to humans and increase the risk of infection [ 5 , 15 ]. It is believed that birds living in cities can act as disseminators of Salmonella spp., partly because pollution, microclimate and specific food in urban ecosystems affect bird immunity [ 17 ]. Birds living in rural areas, however, may differ greatly in terms of infection prevalence and dissemination, mainly due to differences in the structure of urban and rural habitats, human activity, species composition of birds and presence of farm animals [ 18 , 19 ].…”