Summary
The instinct for survival leads migratory birds to exploit seasonal
opportunities for breeding habitats and food supplies. Consequently,
they travel across national and international borders. These birds
are distinguished in local migrants, short-distance, long-distance
and vagrant and nomadic migrants. They can transfer micro-organisms
across the globe and play a significant role in the ecology and
circulation of pathogenic organisms. They are implicated in the
transmission of zoonoses as biological and mechanical carriers and
as hosts and carriers of infected ectoparasites. They can cause
water-borne, tick-borne and insect-borne diseases. Favourable agents,
such as seasonality and stress due to migration, influence the transmission
of pathogens. The migration of birds is a natural phenomenon that
is followed by the unavoidable repercussions of the participation
of these birds as carriers or hosts in the transmission of pathogens.
It is not possible to interrupt this sequence but risks can be minimised
by controlling and preventing perilous situations. Surveillance
of wetlands, stopovers,
places of destination and wintering regions can be done. Furthermore,
the implementation strict biosecurity measures that reduce contact
with migratory birds will limit the transmission of pathogens.
Keywords
Birds,
Disease, Influenza, Micro-organisms, Migration, Prevention, Public
health, Transmission, Zoonosis.
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