Outbreak reportindependent cross-checkabstract checked I-CHK-135 standard review
Egyptian pigeons can catch and spread bird flu
Natural infection with highly pathogenic avian influenza virus H5N1 in domestic pigeons (Columba livia) in Egypt.
Overview
Mansour SM et al.. Avian Pathol 2014 · PMID 24861170 · DOI 10.1080/03079457.2014.926002
An outbreak killed half of a pigeon flock; pigeons shed H5N1 virus.
Does the study support the specific claim? No · Methodological quality: low
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Are domestic pigeons susceptible to HPAI H5N1 in Egypt?
- How was the study done?
Outbreak investigation plus experimental infection
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
outbreak flock; experimental 6-week-old pigeons
- What was actually found?
Outbreak in domestic pigeons with 50% mortality; H5N1 clade 2.2.1/C isolated. Experimental oronasal inoculation: 30% showed signs, 10% mortality; infected and contact pigeons shed virus via oropharynx and cloaca.
- How large was the observed effect?
Outbreak in domestic pigeons with 50% mortality; H5N1 clade 2.2.1/C isolated. Experimental oronasal inoculation: 30% showed signs, 10% mortality; infected and contact pigeons shed virus via oropharynx and cloaca.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Pigeons kept at home carry the same bird-flu risk when handled alive.
- What are the study's limitations?
Single outbreak
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Undermines the 'flying birds are safer' criterion.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
Not EU data.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
No human cases traced to pigeons here.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Mansour SM et al.
- Journal
- Avian Pathol
- Year
- 2014
- Identifier
- PMID 24861170 DOI 10.1080/03079457.2014.926002
- Verification
- verified – PubMed efetch 2026-10-26; Crossref 2026-10-26
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
not stated in abstract
2. Research question
Are domestic pigeons susceptible to HPAI H5N1 in Egypt?
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Outbreak report – Outbreak investigation plus experimental infection
- Population
Domestic pigeons (1-18 months)
- Country
Egypt
- Period
2011 isolate
- Sample size
outbreak flock; experimental 6-week-old pigeons
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
as described in the abstract
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
H5N1 infection
- Comparator
not applicable
- Endpoints
Mortality, signs, virus shedding
- Statistical methods
as reported in the abstract
5. Actual results
- Results
Outbreak in domestic pigeons with 50% mortality; H5N1 clade 2.2.1/C isolated. Experimental oronasal inoculation: 30% showed signs, 10% mortality; infected and contact pigeons shed virus via oropharynx and cloaca.
- Absolute risks
not reported
- Authors' conclusion
Pigeons can be susceptible to H5N1 and could be a source of infection to other birds and humans.
6. Strengths
- Virus isolation and experiment
7. Weaknesses
- Single outbreak
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- none applicable
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
Case investigation.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Qualitative.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Shows that domestic pigeons in Egypt share the avian influenza hazard of chickens.
11. Independent contrary findings
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
13. Overall methodological judgement
An outbreak killed half of a pigeon flock; pigeons shed H5N1 virus.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | low |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | not applicable |
| Directness | indirect |
| Reproducibility | unknown |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | low |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | not applicable |
14. Open questions
15. Linked fact checks
- All poultry (chicken, duck, goose, turkey, chicken liver/gizzards) is forbidden because these are domesticated, ground-feeding birds that do not fly, whereas pigeon and quail are allowed; all eggs including quail and pigeon eggs are forbidden. – Studies contradicting or limiting the claim
- Poultry production is a source of zoonotic avian influenza and respiratory risks for people (H7N9 from wet-market poultry; pneumonia near poultry farms). – Studies supporting the claim