Psittacosis Avian Chlamydiosis

What is psittacosis and Birds that are sick may have loss Who should I contact, if I what causes it? of appetite, weight loss, ruffled suspect psittacosis? Psittacosis (sit-ah-CO-sis) is feathers, yellow or greenish diarrhea, In Animals – respiratory disease caused by the difficulty breathing, nasal discharge, Contact your veterinarian. bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci (cla- weakness or trembling and swelling In Humans – mid-EE-Oh-file-ah SIT-a-sigh). In birds, of the tissues surrounding the eyes. Contact your physician immediately. the disease is also called ornithosis Poultry will also have decreased egg How can I protect my animal (or-ni-THO-sis), or avian chlamydiosis production. Trembling or difficulty (cla-mid-EE-Oh-sis), or parrot fever. walking may be seen in ducks. from psittacosis? There is no vaccine available for What animals get Can I get psittacosis? birds against psittacosis. The best psittacosis? Yes. People can get psittacosis by prevention is keeping your birds in Psittacosis affects a variety ofbird inhaling (aerosol) dried droppings or a clean environment with good air species. It occurs most often in parrots, secretions from infected birds. Direct flow, providing healthy nutrition and parakeets, pigeons, doves and mynah contact with sick birds can also spread avoiding stress or overcrowding. Make birds. The disease is sometimes the disease to humans. Psittacosis is a sure any new birds introduced into a seen in ducks and turkeys, bit is rare health hazard for people who work home are free of avian diseases. You in chickens. in close contact with birds, such as may want to quarantine new birds for bird or pigeon fanciers, bird dealers a period of time before introducing How can my animal get and breeders, poultry workers, pet them into your flock. psittacosis? shop employees, and veterinary clinic Infected birds shed the bacteria in employees. Psittacosis can also be How can I protect myself their droppings and nasal discharges. spread person to person. from psittacosis? Other birds can be infected by Signs of disease humans include Avoid close contact with sick birds. inhaling (aerosol) dust from these mild flu-like signs (fever, chills, Wear gloves, masks, eye protection dried infected droppings or by headache) and a dry cough. Difficulties and gowns to protect yourself when ingesting the bacteria while eating breathing or pneumonia can also working with sick birds or when (oral). The bacteria can also be spread occur. Severe cases may affect the cleaning bird housing areas or cages. by objects (fomites) that have been heart, liver or nervous system. For More Information in contact with infected droppings or nasal discharges, such as food dishes, CFSPH Technical Fact Sheets. Psittacosis perches, toys. at http://www.cfsph.iastate.edu/ DiseaseInfo/ Biting insects, mites and lice (vectors)can also spread the disease. CDC website. Psittacosis at http://www. cdc.gov/ncidod/dbmd/diseaseinfo/ How does psittacosis affect psittacosis_t.htm my animal? Some birds infected with the bacteria show no signs of disease Psittacosis and are called carriers. These carrier is a bacterial disease birds can shed the bacteria when that can be spread by they are stressed from illness, contact with birds or bird nutritional deficiencies, breeding, or droppings. overcrowding and infect other birds or people. Photo from animalworld.com.

© 2013