What diseases do pigeons carry?

Pigeons can carry several diseases that can be transmitted to humans and pets through droppings, feathers, and parasites, though the risk of transmission is relatively low if you avoid direct contact and practice good hygiene. Diseases pigeons can carry include histoplasmosis, a fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum that grows in soil contaminated with bird droppings and can cause respiratory symptoms when spores are inhaled, especially when cleaning large amounts of dried droppings, cryptococcosis caused by Cryptococcus neoformans fungus found in pigeon droppings that can cause lung and brain infections in immunocompromised people, psittacosis or parrot fever caused by Chlamydia psittaci bacteria that can cause flu-like symptoms and pneumonia, salmonellosis caused by Salmonella bacteria that can cause diarrhea, and E. coli infection. Pigeons can also carry parasites like fleas, ticks, mites, and bed bugs that can bite humans, and pigeon droppings can harbor roundworm. They can carry West Nile virus and avian influenza though transmission to humans from pigeons is rare. The biggest risk is from inhaling dried droppings dust when cleaning, so you should wear gloves, an N95 mask, and spray droppings with water or bleach solution before cleaning, avoid sweeping dry droppings, wash hands thoroughly, and keep children and pets away. Keeping areas clean and sealing entry points reduces risk.