Controlling Spread of Psittacosis

Table of Contents

A. Isolation and Quarantine Requirements

None.

B.  Protection of Contacts of a Case

None.

C. Managing Special Situations

Disease in Birds

Psittacosis diagnosed in a bird is reportable to the Iowa Dept. of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). They in turn will notify the Center for Acute Disease Epidemiology (CADE). If evidence suggests that humans have been exposed to infected birds or become sick with psittacosis, the local board of health will be asked to assist CADE in investigating the situation, ensuring that any sick persons receive medical attention, and educating exposed individuals about their potential risk. In cases without human illness, the local board of health should be aware of the situation so that concerned individuals can be given information about psittacosis, their risk of exposure, and the need to see a physician if they have been exposed and develop respiratory illness.

When a bird in or purchased from a pet store has been diagnosed with psittacosis, whether or not human cases have occurred as a result of exposure to the diseased bird, control measures in birds will be instituted by the IDALS. These measures include quarantine and treating exposed birds and properly disinfecting cages and other surfaces. Other control measures, including notifying the pet store owner and workers of the diagnosis and their possible risk of disease, and notifying the public who may have visited the store by posting public health notices at the store, will be made in collaboration with CADE. Also, depending on the situation, CADE may contact individuals who have purchased birds from the facility to inform them about psittacosis, the possibility that their birds may be carriers, and the potential risks to their health.

In addition to pet shops and veterinary offices, other high-risk environments in which psittacosis can occur include poultry farms and specialty bird shows. Where a diseased bird is identified, control measures similar to those described above (e.g., quarantine and treating exposed birds, disinfecting the animal’s environment and notifying exposed individuals about their disease risk) will be instituted by IDALS in conjunction with CADE. 

Contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS), (515) 281-8601 (after hours 515-242-0247) with question about the disease in animals. For information about the risk to humans, contact CADE at (800) 362-2736, if after hours instructions will be given on hours to reach on-call staff

Reported Incidence Is Higher than Usual/Outbreak Suspected

If an outbreak is suspected, investigate to determine the source of infection and mode of transmission. A common vehicle, such as a cluster of sick birds in a pet store, should be sought and applicable preventive or control measures should be instituted.  Consult with the epidemiologist on-call at CADE at (800) 362-2736. CADE can help determine a course of action to prevent further cases and can perform surveillance for cases that may cross jurisdictions and therefore be difficult to identify at a local level.

D. Preventive Measures

To avoid exposure IDPH recommends:

  • Obtain birds only from a licensed pet store or aviary.
  • Pet owners and animal handlers should be made aware of the dangers of household or occupational exposure to infected birds and the risk of inhalation of dried bird droppings, even from seemingly healthy birds.
  • Medical personnel who take care of people in poultry processing plants or other workers in high-risk occupations should learn to include psittacosis in their differential diagnosis for workers who become sick with febrile illness and myalgia.
  • Psittacine birds that are bought, traded, or otherwise procured should be raised and handled in a way that prohibits psittacosis spread. Tetracycline can be used to control or prevent disease in birds, although treatment failures can occur.
  • Pet stores, farms, or processing plants that are epidemiologically linked to human psittacosis should be part of a surveillance effort to identify other cases. Any infected birds should be treated or destroyed, and the environs should be thoroughly disinfected.

Iowa Dept. of Public Health, Reviewed 7/15