Psittacosis is
an infection caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci
Psittacosis is usually spread to humans from birds
Birds in the parrot family (such as parrots, macaws,
cockatiels, and parakeets) are animals that usually
carry the infection. Other birds, like turkeys and
pigeons, may also spread the disease. Both sick
birds and birds that look healthy may spread Chlamydia
psittaci bacteria, especially if the birds are stressed
by crowding or shipping. Usually, people get infected
after breathing dust from dried bird droppings or
secretions. It is very unusual for one person to
get psittacosis from another person.
Symptoms to look for:
- Fever
- Chills
- Headache
- Muscle aches
- Cough
- Rash
Symptoms begin 1 to 4 weeks after the person breathes
the infected dust. Psittacosis is usually a mild
to moderate illness. The illness can be severe,
especially in older people who do not get treatment.
Even if you have had psittacosis, you can still
get it again. See a doctor if you have flu-like
symptoms or respiratory tract illness and you have
been around birds that may be infected with Chlamydia
psittaci. A blood test can be done to determine
if you have psittacosis.
Early treatment with antibiotics can shorten
the length of illness and prevent complications
Treatment must continue for at least 10 to 14 days
after fever is gone.
Psittacosis can be prevented
- Avoid birds that are sick. Signs of illness
in birds may include runny eyes, runny noses,
or diarrhea, and birds that are thin or have ruffled
feathers.
- Buy birds of the parrot family from dealers
with exotic bird permits; birds are more likely
to be infected if they are brought into the country
illegally.
- Keep new birds away from other birds for 30
to 45 days; have the birds tested or treated for
psittacosis before they are added to a group of
other birds.
- Clean all bird cages, food bowls, and water
bowls every day and disinfect them at least once
a week. (To disinfect items, use a household bleach
mixture [1½ cups of bleach in 1 gallon
of water], Lysol®, or rubbing alcohol. Wash
the item with a household detergent, rinse with
water, soak in disinfectant for 5 minutes, then
rinse again. When cleaning birdcages, spray the
floor of the birdcage with a disinfectant before
cleaning to cut down on the dust that you could
breathe. For new birds or cage changes, throw
away wooden perches and other things that cannot
be disinfected).
- Take sick birds to a veterinarian for treatment.
- Report all bird and human cases of psittacosis
to your local health department.
Return
to Fact Sheet Index
Maryland Department of
Health & Mental Hygiene
Office of Epidemiology and Disease Control Programs
May, 2002 |
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