Parrot Fever: A Zoonotic Threat

Avian chlamydiosis is one of the important neglected diseases with critical zoonotic potential. Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever and ornithosis, is a bacterial infection of humans that can cause severe pneumonia and other serious health problems. It is caused by Chlamydophila psittaci, formerly known as Chlamydia psittaci. In birds, C. psittaci infection is referred to as Avian chlamydiosis (AC). Infected birds shed the bacteria through faeces and nasal discharges, and humans become infected from exposure to these materials. It is characterized by fever, prominent headache, and a non-productive cough. The mainstay of diagnostic testing is serologic, although molecular techniques increasingly are utilized. Prevalence of the disease in wild birds, pet birds, and poultry causes economic losses to the poultry industry and the pet bird trade. Doxycycline is the treatment of choice