[Infections of pigeons as a risk to the health of humans and animals].

Both, domestic and feral pigeons may be carriers of hazardous agents for man and animals. Ectoparasites of pigeons can trouble humans. Feces of pigeons can serve as substrate for the agent of cryptococcosis of man and animals. The occurrence of avian tuberculosis, campylobacter infections, pseudotuberculosis and pasteurellosis in pigeons seems to be of less significance. Salmonella infections of man and animals are less likely attributable to pigeons as the source of infection. The agent of ornithosis may be distributed by pigeons, but humans are predominantly infected by psittacines. The role of doves in the epidemiology of German measles is not clear, but there is little evidence that they are involved in other harmful virus infections in Europe. A possible risk for the health of man can not be excluded if rooms are located directly in contact with dovecotes or garrets colonized with wild doves. An increased risk can be supposed for pigeon breeders and persons feeding feral doves.