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Psittacosis - the facts
Page contents: What is psittacosis? | What are the symptoms in humans? | Where is psittacosis found? | How is psittacosis spread? | What about my pet bird? | I think I may be infected with psittacosis - what should I do? | How can I avoid getting psittacosis? | If working with poultry | Download document
What is psittacosis?
It is a bacterial disease of both wild and domestic birds that can also affect people.
In birds it is also known as Avian Chlamydiosis (AC).
What are the symptoms in humans?
Psittacosis in humans may cause a flu-like illness and/or pneumonia.
Symptoms may include fever, headache, aching muscles and chills. Cough is characteristically dry or may be absent. If pneumonia occurs, symptoms such as shortness of breath or chest pain may occur.
Where is psittacosis found?
Birds, especially parrots, can carry the disease. Birds do not have to be sick to spread the disease.
How is psittacosis spread?
The disease is spread by breathing in the bacteria which is present in the infected bird’s droppings, nose or eye secretions. Dried secretions can remain infectious for many months.
The risk of getting the disease is greater when the birds are under stress, for example, just after being purchased.
You may come into contact with infected birds while feeding wild birds, cleaning feeding stations or infected aviaries.
Mowing the lawn without a catcher, especially under or around bird feeders has been associated with infection. The spread of psittacosis from person-to-person is rare.
What about my pet bird?
Sick birds may have eye or nasal discharge, ruffled feathers and be off their food. If your bird is ill seek advice from your vet. The vet may choose to treat your bird with antibiotics.
Stop wild birds getting close to your bird’s cage, as they can spread disease.
I think I may be infected with psittacosis - what should I do?
See your local doctor and tell them about your contact with birds. This disease can be readily treated with antibiotics.
How can I avoid getting psittacosis?
- Avoid contact with wild birds and do not feed wild birds.
- Try to avoid stressing birds by crowding or cold conditions.
- Do not buy birds if they appear ill.
- Wear gloves and a face mask when cleaning cages, wet down the area prior to cleaning to prevent dust formation. Do not use a vacuum cleaner or blower as it can throw dust into the air.
- Clean cages, food and water bowls regularly; use litter which doesn’t create dust, for example, newspaper.
- Take any sick birds or animals to a vet to allow the illness to be investigated.
- Use a 1:100 diluted solution of household bleach to disinfect any ill bird’s, cage, bowl etc. Rinse any items before you put them back in the cage. Throw away material which cannot be disinfected.
- Do not allow birds to get close to your face and wash hands thoroughly after contact
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and water after contact with birds, especially before eating, drinking or smoking.
- Use a mask or lawn catcher when mowing the lawn
If working with poultry:
- Try to avoid stressing birds by crowding or cold conditions.
- Do not process birds if they appear ill.
- Wear gloves and respiratory protection (for example, a P2 particulate mask) when cleaning sheds, slaughtering and processing poultry.
- Wet down the area prior to cleaning to prevent unnecessary dust movement. Do not use a vacuum cleaner or blower, as this will disperse dust into the air.
- Do not allow birds to get close to your face.
- After contact with birds, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water, especially before eating, drinking, smoking, or leaving the workplace.
- Avoid interaction between wild birds and poultry flocks.
- Control rodents.
- Discourage wild birds from settling near growing sheds.
For further information, contact Communicable Disease Control at the Department of Health on 1300 65 11 60.
