Every day, Le Parisien takes action to answer your questions about the coronavirus. Today we are interested in this question from a reader, Monique: “Can birds carry the Covid-19 virus? "
The contamination of a bird by the virus which currently affects a large part of the planet is completely impossible to begin with. "There are coronaviruses in birds but they are gamma and delta whereas the Covid-19 is a beta, reassures Stéphan Zientara, director of the virology research unit of the national veterinary school of Alfort (Val -de-Marne). It is a different virus that has never been detected in birds ”.
The fact remains that, like men with their hands or their clothes, could not birds transport the virus on feathers or legs? Stéphan Zientara is categorical: "We do not have specific scientific data on the transport of the virus on the legs or feathers of birds, but the risk is completely zero," he continues. On the other hand, "birds, and especially pigeons in the city, are vectors of other diseases, and it is common sense not to go to touch them or to try to capture them".
So just admire the birds from the window during this confinement period. Reducing human activity even allows you to listen to them sing more than usual.
To ask your question or testify, you can write to us using the form available by clicking here or send us an email at coronavirus@leparisien.fr. Find all the answers previously published on our dedicated page.
