Bird and Bat Hazard Awareness

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• Bird and Bat Hazard Awareness

Safety and Environmental Management 581-4055
MTM095 Aug 4, 2004
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Goal

• To introduce you to some of the common concerns
  related to birds and bats

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The Culprits
Pigeons
Bats
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The Problem

• Both birds and bats inhabit
• Trees
• Buildings
• Other structures on campus

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Coexistence

• Everyday we interact with these animals in a
  harmonious manner
• Both bats and birds play an important role in
  helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem
• Bats reduce the amount of insects in an area
• Pigeons eat our litter and weed seeds

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Health Hazards Bats and Birds

• Typically, the potential occurs when bat or bird
  populations have increased interaction with
  humans and their daily work area
• People are already aware of some of the hazards
  associated with certain animals, but overlook
  those related to birds

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Bats

• Most common found at UMaine is the Little Brown
  Bat (at right)
• In summer the Little Brown Bat inhabits trees,
  old buildings and attics

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Health Hazards Bats and Bat Droppings

• Rabies We do not want anyone to come into
  direct contact with bats or bat droppings
• Everyone is probably aware that bats can carry
  the rabies virus, however, there are NO cases in
  Maine of the transmittal of rabies from
  NON-physical contact

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Bats

• Histoplasmosis a disease caused by the fungus
  Histoplasma capsulatum (which occurs naturally in
  soil).
• Its symptoms vary greatly, but the disease
  primarily affect the lungs.
• Occasionally, other organs are affected. This
  form of the disease is called disseminated
  histoplasmosis, and it can be fatal if untreated.

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Bats

• Histoplasmosis Can be attributed to contact
  with bats or large accumulations of bat droppings
  and/or inhalation of spores
• Key to control is recognition, isolation and
  cleaning
• Although the disease is rare, it can occur,
  however it is usually restricted to those with
  weakened immune systems
• No significant health risk is present at UMaine,
  granted precautions are taken

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Bats What to do

• Do not attempt to catch, touch or remove bats
• Do not attempt to clean up bat droppings
• If youve been exposed to a bat (physical contact
  such as a bite or scratch), or suspect exposure
  (i.e. an unattended or sleeping child)
• Isolate the bat by closing the windows/doors to
  the room
• Contact Facilities Management Department at
  581-4400
• The FM group will send qualified personnel to
  remove the hazard

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Birds

• The University of Maine has a large and diverse
  population of birds

• The most significant hazards are related to large
  accumulation of bird droppings

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Birds Health Hazards

• Cryptococcus Cryptococcosis is a fungal disease
  caused by Cryptococcus neoformans (which also
  occurs naturally in soil).
• Cryptococcosis can cause serious symptoms of
  brain and spinal cord disease, such as headaches,
  dizziness, sleepiness, and confusion.
• Generally affects those with a weakened immune
  system
• Psittacosis bacteria, which is only found in
  bird droppings and secretions is not associated
  with bats or soil
• Safety Hazards
• In large accumulation droppings can present slip
  and trip hazards on steps, ladders, work
  surfaces, etc.

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Birds Safety Controls

• The key is to recognize the hazards of bird
  droppings early before they become a true hazard
• Do not attempt to catch, touch or remove birds
• Do not attempt to clean up bird droppings
• Isolate the area and contact the Facilities
  Management Department at 581-4400
• The FM group will send qualified personnel to
  remove the hazard

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Responsibilities Birds and Bats

• In general, it is each supervisors
  responsibility to train their workers on the
  potential hazards of birds and bats
• Maintenance personnel that happen to enter an
  area where large amounts of droppings are present
  should not perform cleanup or control such
  situations, unless they have been properly
  trained
• The department that is assigned the space is
  responsible to contact Facilities Management for
  cleanup and control measures prior to personnel
  entering the area

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Whats Next?

• If you have additional questions regarding health
  conditions that may be of concern, you should
  contact your primary care physician for guidance
• Further questions in this area should be directed
  to the UMaine Human Resources Department