| Type | Arboviral encephalitis | Histoplasmosis | Psittacosis |
| Description | Inflammation of the brain caused by Arboviral infection. | Infection by the pathogenic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. | Infection by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci. |
| Birds Involved | Many species such as waterfowl and wild birds. | No birds directly involved as the fungus, H. capsulatum, does not infect birds. | Found in both wild and domesticated birds but is more commonly found in the latter. |
| Source or mode of infection | Transferred to birds from blood-sucking insects (such as mosquitoes and ticks). Humans acquire it from infected mosquitoes. | Acquired through inhalation of spores from fungus in soils contaminated by bird droppings. | Transmitted to host through inhalation of aerosolised particles or by ingesting contaminated food; also acquired through direct contact with infected bird tissues, feces and secreta. |
| Clinical signs of infection in people | First symptoms: fever, chills and headache. More serious symptoms: drowsiness, nausea, coma, confusion, rigidity and convulsions; may cause death. |
Different indications of symptoms depending on severity: ranging from asymptomatic to permanent pulmonary calcification and permanent lesions. | Mostly asymptomatic or mild. Mild symptoms: similar to flu. Severe symptoms: fever, chills, malaise, myalgia, loss of appetite, headache, cough and chest pain. |
| Precautions and preventions | Prevent mosquito bites by wearing protective clothing; use repellents, scare tactics and mosquito netting and screening; modify habitats. | Clean up bird droppings regularly; moisten droppings to prevent spores from becoming airborne; wear face masks, disposable coveralls, gloves, boots, surgical caps and goggles during clean-up. | Wear gloves to prevent bird bites and direct contact with feces; wear facemasks, protective clothing and surgical caps; moisten and spray a 1% solution of household disinfectant on the dropping to prevent the bacteria from becoming airborne. |