Being around birds while pregnant is generally considered safe, but there are some precautions pregnant women should take. In the opening paragraphs, we’ll provide quick answers to some common questions about being around birds during pregnancy.
Is it safe to have a pet bird during pregnancy?
Yes, it is generally safe to keep pet birds during pregnancy. However, pregnant women should take precautions to avoid contracting psittacosis, a type of pneumonia that can be transmitted from birds to humans. Wear gloves when cleaning bird cages and wash hands thoroughly afterwards. Avoid handling sick birds or birds that have recently died. Have someone else clean the bird’s cage if possible.
Can you get sick from birds while pregnant?
Birds can potentially transmit diseases to pregnant women that could make them sick. The most common illness is psittacosis, also known as parrot fever. Psittacosis is a bacterial infection that can cause fever, chills, headache, rash, and pneumonia. To avoid psittacosis, pregnant women should avoid contact with wild birds and practice safe handling of pet birds.
What birds should you avoid when pregnant?
Avoid birds that are known to transmit diseases more easily, such as parrots, parakeets, cockatiels, and pigeons. Also avoid birds that have been recently captured from the wild. In general, commercially bred birds kept indoors as pets pose low risk. Backyard chickens may carry salmonella, so pregnant women should avoid contact with chicken coops and eating raw eggs.
Can you get toxoplasmosis from birds?
No, toxoplasmosis is not transmitted from birds to humans. Toxoplasmosis is caused by a parasite that birds do not carry. Cats are the primary host for toxoplasmosis transmission. Pregnant women can contract toxoplasmosis from contact with cat feces, raw meat, and contaminated soil and water.
Is bird poop dangerous during pregnancy?
Bird droppings contain bacteria, fungi and viruses that could be harmful during pregnancy. Contact with bird droppings should be avoided. If you cannot avoid areas with bird droppings, wear gloves and a face mask when cleaning to reduce risk of illness. Thoroughly wash hands after any contact with bird droppings.
Can you eat undercooked poultry when pregnant?
No, pregnant women should never consume raw or undercooked poultry. Undercooked poultry may contain salmonella and other bacteria that can cause food poisoning. Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F to kill any potential bacteria. Avoid eating at restaurants that serve undercooked or raw poultry.
Is chicken safe to eat during pregnancy?
Yes, chicken is safe to eat during pregnancy as long as it is properly cooked. Raw chicken may contain salmonella. To kill bacteria and make it safe for pregnancy, cook chicken to an internal temperature of 165°F. The USDA recommends reheating leftover chicken to 165°F as well. Avoid raw chicken products like rare chicken sashimi or ceviche.
Can you eat duck when pregnant?
Duck is safe to eat during pregnancy as long as it is thoroughly cooked. Raw or undercooked duck may harbor salmonella, E. coli and other bacteria that could make you sick. Cook duck meat to an internal temperature of at least 165°F. For ground duck, cook to 165°F. Avoid duck products containing raw or undercooked duck like duck carpaccio.
Is it safe to eat quail eggs while pregnant?
Cooked quail eggs are generally considered safe during pregnancy. However, there is a slight risk of salmonella from raw or undercooked quail eggs. To be cautious, only consume fully cooked quail eggs when pregnant. Cook quail eggs until the yolk and white are solid. Avoid raw or soft cooked quail egg dishes like tiramisu made with raw quail eggs.
Can you get listeriosis from birds?
No, listeriosis is not transmitted from live birds to humans. Listeriosis is a bacterial infection usually contracted from eating contaminated food like unpasteurized dairy, deli meats or raw sprouts. Pregnant women have an increased risk for listeriosis which can cause pregnancy complications. But regular contact with pet birds does not pose a risk for listeriosis.
Conclusion
In most cases, being around birds during a healthy pregnancy is safe. But pregnant women should take some basic precautions to avoid contracting diseases from birds:
- Avoid contact with bird droppings
- Do not handle sick/dead birds or their cages
- Wear gloves when cleaning bird cages
- Wash hands thoroughly after touching birds or cages
- Avoid birds with higher disease risk like parrots
- Only eat fully cooked poultry and eggs
By following these guidelines, pregnant women can safely keep pet birds and enjoy cooked poultry as part of a healthy prenatal diet.
Bird-Related Illnesses and Risks During Pregnancy
| Illness/Risk | Source of Transmission | Potential Effects |
|---|---|---|
| Psittacosis | Pet birds, droppings/secretions from infected birds | Fever, pneumonia, can be life-threatening if untreated |
| Salmonella | Poultry, undercooked eggs | Food poisoning, diarrhea, dehydration, pregnancy complications |
| E. coli | Undercooked or contaminated poultry | Food poisoning, UTIs, pregnancy complications |
| Histoplasmosis | Soil contaminated with bird/bat droppings | Flu-like illness, can develop into acute pneumonia |
| Cryptococcus | Soil contaminated with bird droppings | Fungal infection, pneumonia, meningitis |
Safe Handling Tips for Pregnant Women
Here are some tips for pregnant women to safely handle birds and poultry:
- Cook poultry to an internal temperature of 165°F
- Wash hands and disinfect surfaces after handling raw poultry
- Do not eat raw or undercooked eggs
- Avoid direct contact with bird droppings
- Wear gloves, mask when cleaning bird cages
- Ask someone else to clean bird cages if possible
- Keep birds’ food and water clean to avoid spread of bacteria
- Avoid bringing any new birds into the home during pregnancy
- Do not handle sick or dead birds or their cages
Alternative Protein Sources During Pregnancy
Pregnant women looking to avoid poultry but still get sufficient protein in their diets can consider these alternative protein sources:
- Lean red meats like beef and pork
- Fish and seafood
- Eggs thoroughly cooked until yolk and white are solid
- Dairy products like milk, yogurt, cheese
- Beans, lentils, peas
- Soy products like tofu and tempeh
- Nuts, seeds
- Protein supplements/powders
Talk to your doctor about how much protein is recommended during pregnancy and the best protein sources for your diet.
Summary
Here are some key takeaways on being around birds while pregnant:
- Pet birds can be kept during pregnancy but precautions should be taken
- Only eat fully cooked poultry and eggs to avoid illness
- Avoid direct contact with bird droppings which carry disease risk
- Wash hands thoroughly after touching birds or cleaning cages
- Cook poultry to 165°F internal temperature to kill bacteria
- Ask someone else to clean bird cages/coops if possible
- Avoid birds with higher disease transmission rates
- Be aware of potential illnesses from birds like psittacosis
By being informed and taking proper precautions, pregnant women can safely enjoy being around birds in most circumstances.
