Pet birds

Psittacosis (parrot fever) and avian chlamydiosis

Psittacosis is the term for the disease in people caused by the bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci. It most often causes pneumonia, but other organs may also be affected. Infection usually occurs when a person inhales dried droppings or nasal secretions from infected cockatiels, parakeets, and other parrot-like birds. The same disease in birds is termed 'avian chlamydiosis'. It is not spread from person to person.

Avian chlamydiosis is a relatively common disease found in parrot-like (psittacine) birds. Washington State has regulations in place to help reduce the risk of psittacosis by requiring pet shops and bird breeders to take certain measures to control the disease in birds and prevent its spread to people.

Resources

• Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydophila psittaci infection among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2010 (PDF)
• Washington Administrative code (WAC) 246-100-201: Birds – Measures to prevent psittacosis
• Psittacosis, WA State Dept. of Health