With the continued rise in the trend of pet ownership in recent years, psittacosis, a contagious disease transmitted by birds, has emerged as a silent threat to human health. When you whisper to colorful parrots or pet soft pigeons, you might not realize that these adorable birds can harbor a little-known, yet significant, health risk. Today, we will provide a focused on the introduction to this animal-borne disease: psittacosis.
I. What is “Psittacosis”?
"Psittacosis" does not refer to the trend of keeping parrot, but rather to a serious zoonotic disease. The disease was initially named for its discovery among people who kept pet parrots. Subsequent research revealed that many bird species can carry the pathogen and transmit it to humans, leading to its alternative name, "bird fever." At present, psittacosis is included in the “List of Quarantine Diseases for the Animals Imported to the People’s Republic of China,” jointly issued by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs and the General Administration of Customs, categorizing it as a Class II avian infectious disease. It was also listed in the “List of Zoonotic Diseases” released by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in 2022.
II. Etiology and Clinical Manifestations
Psittacosis is caused by Chlamydia psittaci. The primary sources of infection are diseased birds, including parrots, lovebirds, canaries, pigeons, seagulls, and other avian species. Poultry such as ducks can also act as sources of infection, and infected humans are likewise contagious.
The incubation period for psittacosis typically ranges from 1 to 2 weeks, with a maximum observed duration of 45 days. Clinical presentation often involves an acute onset, with a gradual increase in body temperature over several days. Major symptoms include high fever, chills, general malaise, profound fatigue, severe headache, and generalized muscle aches. Some cases may present with nosebleeds, a rash, and gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. In severe cases, patients can develop difficulty breathing, cyanosis, agitation, or coma.
III. How It Spreads
Chlamydia psittaci can cause inhalation infectionsvia the respiratory tract. Additionally, exposure to infected birds and their contaminated secretions or excretions can lead to infection through various routes, including compromised skin, mucous membranes, and the digestive tract. Patients’ sputum can harbor Chlamydia pasittaci for an extended period, potentially resulting in the infection of others.
IV. Susceptible Populations
Psittacosis often occurs among people with regular exposure to poultry and bird markets, potentially leading to widespread infections and large-scale outbreaks. Humans are generally susceptible, and immunity is not necessarily acquired after infection, making recurrences relatively common. As humans do not develop lasting, reliable immunity to this disease, and given the sub-optimal efficacy of vaccination, there are currently no effective protective measures available. Therefore, implementing comprehensive prevention and control strategies for psittacosis are particularly important.
V. Prevention and Control Measures
Prevention of psittacosis mainly involves avoiding contact with infected birds. Strict quarantine systems must be rigorously implemented across poultry farming operations, bird trade markets, and transportation processes. Premises and housing units where infections have occurred require quarantine supervision and thorough disinfection. In the event of an outbreak, both human patients and infected poultry should be isolated and receive treatment. Thorough disinfection is essential for contaminated premises, housing units, and all excretions from patient and diseased birds. Effective treatments include tetracyclines, chloramphenicol, erythromycin, and other antibiotics.
VI. Customs Reminder
The Customs agency conduct quarantine supervision on all inbound birds and poultry products in accordance with relevant regulations. Illegally imported birds and poultry products, once intercepted, will be destroyed under customs supervision. All individuals are urged to strictly abide by the provisions of the Customs Law of the People’s Republic of China, the Biosecurity Law of the People’s Republic of China, and the Law of The People’s Republic of China on the Entry and Exit Animal and Plant Quarantine.
Disclaimer：The above content is translated from Chinese version of Official Platform for China Customs. The Official Platform for China Customs version shall prevail.
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