An outbreak of “parrot fever” was recorded in Europe: what kind of disease is it?

An outbreak of “parrot fever” – a bacterial infection called psittacosis, which is transmitted from birds to humans and can affect the respiratory tract – has been recorded in several European countries.

By data According to the World Health Organization, 5 people have already died from the disease this year CNN.

In most cases this year, people came into contact with domestic or wild birds.

Austria, which usually sees two cases of the disease each year, reported 14 in 2023 and four more this year.

All these cases are not related to each other. None of the patients reported traveling abroad.

Usually, 15 to 30 cases of the disease are registered in Denmark each year. Mostly – from owners of pet birds or amateur ornithologists.

According to WHO, 23 cases have been confirmed as of February 27, but health officials suspect that the number is much higher.

A total of 17 Danes were hospitalized. 15 of them fell ill with pneumonia, 4 died.

At least one person became infected from a pet bird. And 12 patients reported that they came into contact with wild birds mainly through feeders.

Last year, 14 confirmed cases of “parrot fever” were recorded in Germany. Five more were discovered this year. Almost all of these patients contracted pneumonia.

In Sweden, an increase in the number of cases of “parrot fever” has been observed since 2017. At the end of November and the beginning of December last year, 26 cases were registered, and in 2024 – 13 cases.

Patients with psittacosis have also increased in the Netherlands. From the end of December to the end of February, 21 people fell ill, which is twice as many as during the same period in previous years.

Usually there are about 9 cases of “parrot fever” per year in the country.

What is “parrot fever”?

Psittacosis or “parrot fever” is a zoonotic infectious disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydia psittaci found in wild and domestic birds.

Ways of transmission

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, people are usually infected by selection infected bird. You can also get sick if the bird bites or “kisses” a person (that is, if the beak comes into contact with the mouth).

To prevent this disease, it is necessary to follow the rules of hygiene when in contact with birds and cleaning their cages.

There is good news for poultry owners: the disease does not spread through eating infected animals.

Transmission of the virus from person to person is possible, but rare.

Symptoms in birds

Most often, the pathogen is transferred parrots, chickens, turkeys, pigeons, ducks. Infected birds may be lethargic, shiver or have difficulty breathing. Discharge from the eyes or nose, diarrhea, discolored droppings of various shades of green can also indicate the disease.

At the same time, infected birds may not have a sick appearance, but still emit bacteria when they breathe or defecate.

Symptoms in humans

Most people who get infected with “parrot fever” have a mild form of it.

Symptoms appear 5-14 days after contact with a sick bird.

Symptoms of “parrot fever” in humans are:

• headache;
• muscle pain;
• dry cough;
• fever and chills;
• nausea and vomiting;
• diarrhea;
• weakness;
• chest pain;
• dyspnea.

Psittacosis can occur easily, or it can lead to pneumoniaintoxication and damage to the respiratory system.

If you seek medical attention in time, the disease is rarely fatal for a person.

The infection can be treated with antibiotics prescribed by a doctor.

It will be recalled that earlier Oxford began testing a vaccine against the rare Nipah virus after an outbreak of the disease in India. The virus is transmitted to humans by “flying foxes”.

Importantly! This material is based on the latest and current scientific research, is of an informational and reference nature only and cannot be the basis for establishing a medical diagnosis. To establish a diagnosis and receive treatment, be sure to consult a doctor!