Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever and ornithosis, is an infectious disease in humans caused by a bacterium called Chlamydia psittaci. The bacteria is contracted when coming into contact with infected parrots, such as macaws, cockatiels and budgerigars, and from pigeons, sparrows, ducks, hens, gulls and many other species of birds.
IN ANIMALS
Arnaud van Wettere writes that turkeys and ducks are more susceptible to infection than chickens. The infection can present as subclinical, acute, subacute or chronic. It is characterised by respiratory, digestive, or systemic infection, says Van Wettere.
“Infections occur worldwide and have been identified in at least 465 avian species, particularly caged birds (primarily psittacines), colonial nesting birds (egrets, herons), ratites, raptors and poultry. Among domestic
