PIGEONS ARE NOT SIGNIFICANT AS A CAUSE OF HUMAN DISEASE
In a letter dated May 2, 1997, to Mr. Mark Short, President of the Western Arizona Chapter of the Urban Wildlife Society, Mr. Craig Levy, Program Manager of the Vector-Borne & Zoonotic Diseases Section (VBZD) of the Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) wrote, in part:
 
1740 W. Adams Street
Phoenix, Arizona 85007-2670
(602) 542-1025
(602) 542-1062 FAX		 CRAIG LEVY, PROGRAM MANAGER
VECTOR-BORNE & ZOONOTIC DISEASES SECTION
(602) 230-5932

"I am writing this letter in response to your recent requests for information and documentation of public health concerns associated with pigeons. The biggest concerns have to do with the accumulations of pigeon droppings in places (such as rooftops) where pigeons roost and congregate. … The bird droppings which are found scattered around outdoors, such as rooftops, sidewalks, window ledges, etc. are not likely to cause human disease…

At present, we do not have any documented human cases of disease which have been definitively linked to outdoor pigeons or pigeon droppings. When cases of diseases are reported (and by law [certain bird related zoonoses are] reportable diseases), VBZD staff conduct complete investigations to confirm the diagnosis and identify the source of infection. …Our case investigation data gathered so far, would suggest that pigeons are not significant[*] as a cause of human disease in Arizona."
 
  • *in·sig·nif·i·cant (nsg-nf-knt) adj. 1. Not significant, especially: a. Lacking in importance; trivial. b. worthy of little regard. 2. Having little or no meaning.
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    State Headquarters: Phoenix, Arizona
    http://www.urbanwildlifesociety.org/
    Hotline: 602.ANIMALS  Office: 602.265.BIRD
    E-mail: animals@urbanwildlifesociety.org
     
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    PIGEONS | AVIAN AFFAIRS COALITION
    WILDLIFE REHAB | ANIMAL PROTECTION AGENCY
    VETERINARY EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICE
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