What is Psittacosis?

Psittacosis is an illness caused by infection with bacteria known as Chlamydia psittaci. This illness is transmitted from infected birds to people. The infection in people, also known as parrot fever or ornithosis, can result in severe pneumonia. The psittacosis bacteria have been isolated from more than 175 species of birds, most commonly psittacine birds (parrots, macaws, cockatiels, parakeets and related species).

Who gets Psittacosis?

Illness in people is rare. Contact with caged birds (as opposed to wild birds or poultry) accounts for over 70% of human cases.

What are the symptoms of Psittacosis?

The symptoms of psittacosis include fever, headache, chills, muscle aches and cough. The severity of the illness can range from inapparent infection to severe illness with pneumonia. Elderly and immunosuppressed people are most susceptible to infection.

How soon do symptoms occur?

Illness usually occurs 1 to 4 weeks after exposure to an infected bird.

How is Psittacosis spread?

Human infection usually occurs through inhaling the bacteria in dried bird droppings and feather dust. Other potential sources of exposure include bird bites, mouth-to-beak contact and handling feathers and tissues from infected birds.

Which animals can carry Psittacosis?

Although the majority of human cases are related to caged psittacine birds, other caged birds including pigeons, doves, and mynah birds can be infected. Canaries and finches are rarely infected. Poultry and wild birds can also carry this disease, although pigeon roosts are not common sources of human infection.

How is Psittacosis diagnosed?

Psittacosis is usually diagnosed by clinical symptoms and a history of exposure to birds. A rise in antibodies to psittacosis between two samples of blood, the first collected at the time of illness and the second collected 2 to 3 weeks later, can confirm the diagnosis.

Can Psittacosis be treated?

Yes. Several commonly available antibiotics are effective in treating psittacosis in humans. With appropriate treatment, the vast majority of people fully recover.

Is an infected person infectious to others?

Person-to-person transmission of psittacosis has not been shown to occur. No special precautions are necessary for patients ill with psittacosis.

Infected birds should be isolated and treated for 30 to 45 days, based on the type of bird infected. Treatment usually consists of medicated feed but oral or injectable antibiotics can also be used. Treatment should be administered under the supervision of a veterinarian. Antibiotics placed in the water will not eliminate the disease in birds. To prevent reinfection, the cages and rooms where infected birds were housed should be cleaned and sanitized.

How can Psittacosis be prevented?

Do not purchase birds with signs of psittacosis or those which were kept in dirty or crowded conditions. Before adding a new bird into a group, have the bird examined by a veterinarian and keep it isolated until your veterinarian recommends that it join the group. There are numerous diagnostic tests now available to veterinarians to help identify psittacosis. In some cases it may be advantageous to treat incoming birds with antibiotics. Veterinarians should report cases of psittacosis to the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services for investigation. Cages and other surfaces in the area where infected birds were housed should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected with household bleach diluted 1:100 with water (2 tablespoons of bleach in a gallon of water) or another effective disinfectant. A dust mask and gloves should be worn by persons cleaning such areas, and droppings and dust should be moistened prior to removal to minimize aerosolization.

All persons in contact with infected birds should be informed of the symptoms of psittacosis (fever, headaches, chills muscle aches, and cough) and individuals having such symptoms should consult a physician.

Veterinarians and individuals involved in the companion-bird industry who would like more detailed information on psittacosis can contact the Infectious and Zoonotic Diseases Program at (609) 588-3121 and request a copy of the Compendium of Psittacosis Control, published by the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.

More about Psittacosis

• Surveillance Case Definitions