In Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, Sweden and Austria, there was an unusual increase in cases of psittacosis at the end of 2023 and beginning of 2024.
Psittacosis, also known as parrot disease, is a zoonosis as it can be transmitted from birds to humans. It is caused by a bacterium and primarily affects parrots and parakeets.
The disease rarely occurs in humans. It mainly affects bird owners or people with close contact to birds. It causes fever, headaches, muscle pain and a dry cough. Rapid antibiotic treatment effectively cures the disease and prevents complications such as pneumonia. In humans, infection usually occurs through the inhalation of infectious faecal particles and dust.
Psittacosis is a notifiable animal disease under the Animal Diseases Act. Direct vaccination against the pathogen is not possible. As a preventative measure, birds must be quarantined and tested for the pathogen after purchase.
AGES radar for infectious diseases from 28 March 2024 (download area)
