What are the symptoms of psittacosis?

Psittacosis can vary widely. Some people hardly feel ill from the infection. Others have a mild respiratory illness similar to flu, and some become seriously ill.

Examples of severe complications include pneumonia and blood poisoning (septicaemia). Blood poisoning can cause various organs to work less well, and could even lead to organ failure.

Common symptoms of psittacosis include:

• high fever with cold chills
• severe headache
• sore muscles in neck and back
• shortness of breath
• coughing

Do you have these symptoms? And have you recently had direct contact with birds? Then contact your GP.

Who can become ill (or very ill) from psittacosis?

People who are in frequent contact with birds (or bird droppings) are more likely to be exposed to the bacteria that cause psittacosis. This includes people who have pet birds or work with birds.

Some people have a higher risk of becoming very ill from psittacosis, especially older people (aged 65 years and older) and people with impaired immunity.

How does psittacosis spread?

The bacteria Chlamydia psittaci can be present in the eye secretions, mucous and droppings of birds. Healthy birds can also carry the bacteria, which can then be transmitted to humans. Dried-up eye secretions, mucous and droppings from birds can turn into dusty residues. This dust is also found on dead birds and feathers. If people inhale dust particles from infected birds, they can become ill.

The time between exposure and illness is usually 1 to 4 weeks. Droppings from infected birds can remain contagious for as long as 8 months. The bacteria almost never spreads through human-to-human transmission.

How can I prevent psittacosis?

There are several ways to prevent exposure to the bacteria that cause psittacosis:

• If possible, stay away from infected birds and their dust.
• Do you work with birds? Or do you have other frequent contact with birds that could potentially be infected? Then always wear protective clothing, gloves and a face mask that covers the mouth and nose.
• Use liquids to clean potentially contaminated surfaces, like bird cages, to prevent dust from rising into the air.
• Ensure a good flow of fresh air in spaces where birds are kept. Open windows and doors when you clean pens and cages.
• If you plan to keep a pet bird in your home, have the vet test if the bird is carrying the C. psittaci bacteria or may have psittacosis itself. Any birds that are ill should be treated by the vet.
• If you already have birds and purchase new birds, keep the new birds in a separate, enclosed space for the first 30 days. During that period, always care for the birds you already had first, and then move on to the new birds. This helps prevent diseases from spreading.

Is there any treatment for psittacosis?

People who are ill due to psittacosis can be treated with antibiotics, available through a doctor. People who become very ill may sometimes need to go to hospital.

How common is psittacosis in the Netherlands?

Psittacosis is a notifiable disease. This means that doctors in the Netherlands are required to report any cases of patients who have psittacosis. Over the past few years, there have been between 50 and 90 reported cases per year. The number of people who have psittacosis is probably higher than the reported cases. When people have pneumonia, they do not usually have a laboratory test to check if psittacosis is the cause of the infection. In addition, some people who contract psittacosis only have mild symptoms. Since they do not usually see a doctor for these symptoms, the infection is not reported.

Can a person with psittacosis go to childcare, school or work?

If a person with psittacosis feels fine, they can go to childcare, school or work as usual.