In Germany and other European countries, more people than usual have become infected with ornithosis, the parrot disease transmitted by birds. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that the number of cases has increased significantly since November and December last year. There were four deaths in Denmark and one person died in the Netherlands.
Parrot disease – this is what lies behind bacterial infectious diseases
The infectious disease is caused by the bacterium Chlamydophila psittaci. Pathogens are found primarily in parrots, pigeons, seagulls and other birds. According to the WHO, the pathogen has also been discovered in mammalian species such as dogs, cats, horses, pigs and cattle.
The infection is transmitted through direct contact with infected animals or by inhaling fecal dust, for example when cleaning cages. According to the WHO, people who work with animals in pet shops, veterinary practices or poultry factories are often affected. According to the US health authority CDC, transmission from person to person is possible, but extremely rare. According to the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), the disease is reportable in Germany.
Parrot disease – these are the symptoms
Infected people often only report mild symptoms such as
such as fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and dry cough.
For most people, the first signs and symptoms appear within 5 to 14 days of exposure to the bacteria. Timely antibiotic treatment is effective and allows complications such as pneumonia to be avoided. With appropriate antibiotic treatment, psittacosis is rarely fatal (less than 1 in 100 cases).
In addition to Germany, according to the WHO, Austria, Denmark, Sweden and the Netherlands also reported an increase in cases. The countries have increased their surveillance measures. The WHO currently considers the risks to humans to be low.
14 cases were reported in Germany last year
Five confirmed cases were reported in Germany in December, and there were 14 in 2023 as a whole, according to the WHO. This year, five more confirmed cases had been added by February 20th. There was an accumulation around Hanover throughout the year. 16 of those affected were treated in hospital. None of them said they had come into contact with wild birds; a quarter had pets such as pigeons, parrots or chickens.
A total of 23 confirmed cases were reported in Denmark from the end of December to February 27th, and 21 in the Netherlands from the end of December to February 29th. Four infected people died in Denmark and one in the Netherlands.