The World Health Organization is warning of the increase in the number of cases of psittacosis, or parrot fever, in humans in Europe, a respiratory disease which has killed five people since the start of 2023.
- Psittacosis, or parrot fever, has killed five people since the start of 2023 in Europe.
- It is a respiratory disease that can be transmitted to humans through contact with contaminated birds.
- For the moment, no cases have been recorded in France.
Since the start of 2023, psittacosis, or parrot fever, has killed five people in Europe. Earlier this week, the World Health Organization (WHO) published a note to warn of the increase in cases in four European countries: Denmark, Germany, Sweden and the Netherlands. For the moment, there have been no cases recorded in France.
Parrot fever: a respiratory disease transmitted by birds
Psittacosis is a respiratory disease caused by bacteria Chlamydia psittaci, which infects birds. “Urine, nasal secretions and dried droppings from birds infected with Chlamydia psittaci may be dispersed in the air as fine droplets or dust particles (aerosols).“, according to Canadian Center for Occupational Health and Safety (CCOHS).
It is therefore through contaminated birds – wild or domestic – that humans can be infected. This can be through direct or indirect contact, i.e. urine, droppings, etc. On the other hand, parrot fever is “rarement transmitted from person to person”, notes the CCOHS.
Psittacosis: sometimes serious symptoms
When a human is infected with psittacosis, they may suffer from the following symptoms:
- headaches ;
- a fever and chills;
- muscle and/or chest pain;
- a dry cough;
- fatigue.
These appear within four to fifteen days of infection.
As these symptoms are not specific, the disease is sometimes diagnosed late. So, if you suffer from one or more of them, and you have been in contact with birds, you must inform your doctor. Indeed, the earlier the antibiotic treatment is started, the faster the recovery.
Psittacosis can cause sometimes serious complications. Organs other than the lungs can be affected by the infection. Rare cases of damage to the liver (hepatitis), the inner wall or muscle of the heart (endocarditis), or even the brain (neurological problems) have already been recorded. These disorders generally require hospital treatment. Finally, the risk of death linked to this pathology is very rare, but exists.
To protect yourself from psittacosis, hygiene is essential. The WHO recommends washing your hands well, especially after direct or indirect contact with birds.