Psittacosis (“parrot flu”) outbreak kills five in Europe

this World Health Organization (WHO) New outbreak of psittacosis, a disease reported Also known as “parrot flu”. The cases are in Europe and five people have died so far: 4 in Denmark and 1 in the Netherlands.Psittacosis is a respiratory infection caused by Chlamydia psittacia bacterium that primarily affects birds.

According to the World Health Organization, several European countries confirmed cases in February, via Early Warning and Response System (EAPR) European Union. specific, Austria, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Sweden The number of cases has increased compared to 2023 and early 2024.This increase will be particularly evident in 2023 and early 2024 November and December last year.

In most cases, there is evidence that Contact with wild or domestic birdsis the main route of infection Contact with secretions of infected birds. According to the World Health Organization, cases are often associated with “ Pet birds, poultry workers, veterinarians

Pet bird owners and gardeners in areas where the Psittacosaurus inhabits Popular among native birds“.

this Chlamydia psittaci It is a bacterium related to More than 450 species of birdsalthough it is also found in some mammals, e.g. Dog, cat, horse, pig or reptile. However, most cases in humans are caused by birds, especially pet birds.Its spread generally occurs in Inhalation of air particles from respiratory secretions, dried feces or feather dust. It is a mild illness with the following symptoms: Fever, chills, headache, dry cough, and muscle aches.Most affected people begin to develop symptoms between five and fourteen days After exposure to bacteria. Antibiotic treatment is effective and can prevent further complications such as pneumonia.

Cases by country

Denmark is the country worst affected by the epidemicThe number of cases increased from late last year to early this year. all, As of February 27, 23 people have tested positive. Most of these occur in northern Denmark, Zealand and the capital region. 74% of cases (17 people) required hospitalization, 15 of them had pneumonia.

Most cases are Contact with wild birds (mainly through bird feeders).Over the past five years, Nordic countries have reported 15 to 30 human cases per year

, mostly related to exhibitions of birds (such as parrots, parakeets, parrots, canaries or pigeons). However, no-contact with birds occurs every year.The Danish National Institute of Health suspects that the infection is mainly related to Inhaled airborne particles From infected bird droppings.

The fifth death was reported in As of February 29, the Netherlands has reported 21 cases of infection, meaning the number of cases is double what it was on the same date in previous years. Over the past decade, the average number of cases has been just nine.The case has occurred geography of the entire territorybut no common source of infection was identified.

Cases in Sweden have increased since 2017, the numbers at the end of last year were “exceptionally high”: 7 cases in November and 19 in December. At the beginning of the year, 10 cases were reported in January and 3 cases were reported in February, which was a decrease compared with previous years.These cases are located in 8 of Sweden’s 21 regionsall located in the southernmost third of the country. Germany detected 5 cases in December, a total of 14 for the whole year.Of the 19 cases detected between January 1, 2023 and February 19, 2024, none had information about exposure to wild birds, although 26% reported exposure to poultry, such as parrots, chickens or pigeons.

at last, In Austria, by the end of 2023, 14 cases of psittacosis had been detected in 5 of 9 states.. This number is significantly higher than the average over the past eight years and has occurred in only two cases.Four cases have been reported this year None related to traveling abroad Wild birds are also not a possible source of infection.