Bird Owner Gets Parrot Fever

A pet store owner in Bristol has contracted psittacosis from his pet birds.

12:54 05 June 2015

A pet store owner in Bristol has contracted psittacosis, a very rare disease, from his pet birds. The Public Health of England (PHE) has confirmed the case and said that it can cause severe health issues in human. Symptoms include chills, fever, muscle and chest pain, fatigue, nausea, loss of appetite, diarrhoea, and vomiting. 

 

PHY said that the disease, which is very common in parakeets, parrots, budgerigars, and cockatiels, is caused by the bacterium chlamydophila psittaci and spread either by airborne transmission or by handling infected birds. People who have purchased birds between 28 May and 3 June, are encouraged to contact their vet to ensure that the animals are not carrier of the bacterium. 

 

Mike Wade from PHE said that cases of people suffering severe illness due to the bacteria are rare. He added that the symptoms typically show after 10 days of contracting the bacterium.