Psittacosis

Parrot fever cases amid a ‘mysterious’ pneumonia outbreak in Argentina – what you need to know about psittacosis

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Health, Chlamydia psittaci, COVID, Infection, Pneumonia, Psittacosis, Disease, Poultry, Parrot, Risk, COVID-19, Bird, Bacteria, Duck, Death, Human, Thought, Systematic review, World Health Organization, Mask, WHO, Nursing care plan, Workplace, Paper, Government, Mower

This is how the yet-to-be-named disease COVID-19 was first described when a cluster of cases was identified in Wuhan, China.

Key Points: 
  • This is how the yet-to-be-named disease COVID-19 was first described when a cluster of cases was identified in Wuhan, China.
  • This term is being used again to describe a cluster of “atypical” pneumonia cases in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Some cases of psittacosis, also known as “parrot fever”, have been confirmed within this cluster.
  • Psittacosis, or parrot fever, is caused by bacteria called Chlamydia psittaci, and is a common infection in birds.
  • A 2017 systematic review concluded that around 1% of pneumonia cases not acquired in a hospital may be the result of psittacosis.
  • There are often local respiratory infectious disease outbreaks, potentially causing severe pneumonia, and these do not spread more widely or internationally.
  • At the time of writing this article, there is very little information available about the Argentina outbreak.
  • There has been no statement from the public health authorities in Argentina, nor the WHO Pan America Health Organisation.
  • Among the key pieces of information we really would need to know is the likelihood of human-to-human transmission.


Michael Head has previously received funding from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the UK Department for International Development, and currently receives funding from the UK Medical Research Foundation.

Is it okay to kiss your pet? The risk of animal-borne diseases is small, but real

Retrieved on: 
Monday, September 4, 2023
Salmonellosis, Infection, Human, Food, Rabies virus, Bird, Disease, Toxoplasma gondii, Parasitism, Prevalence, Bartonella henselae, Face, Aerosol, Turtle, Campylobacteriosis, Dog, Toxoplasmosis, MRSA, Biting, Fungus, Hygiene, Cat, Thought, Mycobacterium, Giardiasis, Animal, Soil, Population, Psittacosis, Risk, Water, Pet, Rabies, Bacteria, Genetically modified bacteria, Birth, Death, Scratch, Virus, Meningitis, Pneumonia, Mouth, Saliva, Pet industry, Medical imaging, Vaccine, Trapping, Veterinary medicine, Animal husbandry, Pig, Poultry farming, Toy, Zoonosis

Pet ownership is at an all-time high, with a recent survey finding 69% of Australian households have at least one pet.

Key Points: 
  • Pet ownership is at an all-time high, with a recent survey finding 69% of Australian households have at least one pet.
  • We spend an estimated A$33 billion every year on caring for our fur babies.
  • But some, such as pregnant people and those with weakened immune systems, are at greater risk of getting sick from animals.

What diseases can pets carry?

    • Infectious diseases that move from animals to humans are called zoonotic diseases or zoonoses.
    • Zoonoses can be transmitted directly from pets to humans, such as through contact with saliva, bodily fluids and faeces, or indirectly, such as through contact with contaminated bedding, soil, food or water.
    • Both dogs and cats are also reservoirs for methicillin-resistant bacterium Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), with close contact with pets identified as an important risk factor for zoonotic transmission.
    • Read more:
      Cats carry diseases that can be deadly to humans, and it's costing Australia $6 billion every year

Birds, turtles and fish can also transmit disease

    • Pet birds can occasionally transmit psittacosis, a bacterial infection which causes pneumonia.
    • Contact with pet turtles has been linked to Salmonella infections in humans, particularly in young children.
    • Even pet fish have been linked to a range of bacterial infections in humans, including vibriosis, mycobacteriosis and salmonellosis.
    • Close contact with animals – and some behaviours in particular – increase the risk of zoonotic transmission.

What should I do if I’m worried about catching a disease from my pet?


    There are a number of good hygiene and pet husbandry practices that can reduce your risk of becoming sick. These include:
    It is especially important for those who are at a higher risk of illness to take precautions to reduce their exposure to zoonotic pathogens. And if you’re thinking about getting a pet, ask your vet which type of animal would best suit your personal circumstances.

    Read more:
    One in three people are infected with _Toxoplasma_ parasite – and the clue could be in our eyes