Human infections of the respiratory disease are occurring through exposure to infected birds
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For those Americans who are paying attention, there is a disease outbreak in Europe that has killed five people — so far. This disease is known as “Parrot Fever”, or psittacosis, and it is caused by a potentially lethal bacterial infection, Chlamydia psittaci. Despite its similar name, this bacterium is different from that which causes sexually transmitted chlamydia infections.
Psittacosis can be transmitted from animals to humans, but rarely causes severe pneumonia in people. In just a few months, it has already infected at least 120 people in five countries — Austria, Denmark (4 deaths), Germany, Sweden, and the Netherlands — starting in late 2023 and continuing into 2024. According to a recent World Health Organisation (WHO) alert (here), the overall health risk to humans posed by this disease is low — but not zero.
Despite its incriminating name, it’s interesting to note that, of those cases that reported exposure information, 80% had contact with wild birds (primarily via bird feeders), whereas four cases reported no direct bird contact at all.
“Exposure to wild and/or domestic birds was reported in most of the cases,” WHO noted in their health alert.
The most common source of this infection is domesticated poultry, particularly ducks, along with wild pigeons and captive parrots — hence its name. But other animals, such as dogs, cats, sheep, pigs, cattle and even horses can be infected by this bacteria, even though the name specifically points to parrots as the sole, or the primary, source of this disease, when (in my view) they are not.
In humans, psittacosis generally causes symptoms such as high fever, headache, muscle pain, low heart rate and a dry cough that may develop into a severe pneumonia. A few years ago, a friend of mine was infected with psittacosis and was subsequently hospitalized for a short time. She described the pneumonia, headache and muscle aches as “extremely painful”.
From the time of exposure, the incubation period varies from 5 to 14 days until symptoms become apparent. Psittacosis responds well to antibiotics, particularly doxycycline, erythromycin or azithromycin, thereby preventing it from progressing to serious disease or death. Unlike many bacterial infections that dwell on the surface of cells, C. psittaci lives inside a host’s cells where it is hidden from detection and attack by the immune system, so recovering from a psittacosis infection does not confer immunity to future infections.
“Human infections occur mainly through contact with secretions from infected birds and are mostly associated with those who work with birds, poultry workers, veterinarians, pet bird owners and gardeners in areas where C. psittaci is epizootic in the native bird population,” WHO stated in their health alert.
Typically, infected birds do not appear to be ill, although stress can trigger active illness. In the absence of obvious illness, infected animals may still spread the disease if they carry the infection, either through respiratory secretions (particularly sneezing), or through their droppings (especially after infected poops dry out and break down into dust particles that become airborne). Also — uncommonly — beak-to-mouth contact either through bites or kisses from an infected parrot can lead to infection in a bird’s human companion. Rarely, psittacosis can spread from person-to-person.
If you get a pet bird, or add one to your home flock, it’s best to invest in a well-bird check-up with your veterinarian, to make sure the new arrival is not harboring any illnesses. A follow-up quarantine period of 30-45 days is also recommended.
Good hygiene, particularly hand-washing with soap and running water after contact with birds or their equipment, is recommended. Further, bird feeders and bird baths for wild birds, along with food and water bowls and cages that house captive birds must be cleaned daily. It’s also strongly advised to wear a mask when working closely with birds, especially when cleaning their enclosures or replacing bedding.
If you discover a sick or dead bird whilst out hiking or birding, it’s best not to touch them without adequate protection — gloves or a towel or preferably, both. It’s best to report sick or dead birds to local public health officials so they can take care of them. At this time, wild birds submitted for avian influenza testing in Europe are also being tested for C. psittaci to determine the disease’s prevalence in the avian population.
But here’s some good news: although a serious infection by psittacosis may make you wish you were dead, it rarely results in death in humans (fewer than 1 in 100 cases), according to the CDC.
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Rohit Malhotra is a medical expert and health journalist who offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being. His articles aim to help readers lead healthier lives.
