Disease: Parrot fever (Psittacosis)

Pathogen

Psittacosis (parrot fever) is a bacterial disease. Chlamydia psittaci is the main cause of chlamydiosis in birds. This bacterium can only survive and reproduce within a living host cell.

Susceptible species

Chlamydia infections have been identified in at least 465 bird species, particularly kept birds (especially parrots), garden birds (such as sparrows and pigeons), colony-breeding birds (such as egrets and herons), ratites, birds of prey, and poultry. Among domesticated species, turkeys and ducks are most commonly affected.

Signs in animals

Long-term infections without clinical symptoms, lasting for months to years, are common and considered the normal relationship between the Chlamydia bacterium and the host. The frequency of infection varies considerably between species and geographic locations.

 

Clinical symptoms include:

  • nasal and ocular discharge
  • inflammation of the conjunctiva/mucous membrane (conjunctivitis)
  • inflammation of the sinuses (sinusitis)
  • green to yellow-green, soft to watery stools (diarrhea)
  • fever
  • passive and lethargic behavior
  • ruffled feathers
  • weakness
  • loss of appetite
  • enlarged abdominal cavity due to enlargement of the liver and spleen (hepatosplenomegaly)
  • weight loss
  • decreased egg production

 

In parrots, respiratory problems, lethargy, weakness, green stools, and enlarged abdominal cavity are common. Many parrots are subclinically infected, meaning the disease is present but not (yet) causing visible symptoms.

Infection of animals

Transmission occurs primarily via the fecal-oral route or by inhalation. Respiratory fluids and feces of infected birds contain the bacterium, which is resistant to desiccation and can remain infectious for several months when protected by organic material (e.g. feces). The bacterium is spread by airborne particles and dust. Arthropod transmission through blood-sucking ectoparasites, such as ticks and fleas, is possible. Parent-to-egg transmission (vertical transmission) has been documented in several bird species, including turkeys, chickens, and ducks. The disease usually becomes apparent only after 3 to 10 days, but in older birds or after contact with a small amount of the virus, this can also take several weeks.

 

Infection of people

Avian chlamydiosis is a zoonotic disease that can affect humans after exposure to the bacteria via airborne particles (aerosols) released from the digestive or respiratory tracts of infected, living or dead birds. People can experience flu-like symptoms, but also more serious conditions such as pneumonia and sepsis. Read more about psittacosis on the RIVM website: Papegaaienziekte | RIVM (Dutch).

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