psittacosis

[tamirra]

Hello, does anyone know if psittacosis can be passed from human to human, as both my parents have caught it from a neigbours aviary and they are worried that they will pass it o the rest of the family if we go to see them. Thanks

[daffy654]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psittacosis

"Infection is usually via the droppings of another infected bird, though it can also be transmitted via feathers and eggs, and are typically either inhaled or ingested."

[tamirra]

Hi Daffy, so in other words it can not be spread from human to human, only directly from the infected birds and their droppings.

[sqad617]

No, it cannot be transmitted from human to human.

[LoftyLottie2]

I just found this link. It is not proven that infection can be transmitted between humans, but I would take great care. Its a dangerous disease. I wish your parents well soon.

http://www.cockatiels.org/articles/Diseases/ps ittacosis3.html

[daffy654]

Unless your parents walk around their home covered in bird droppings (which I strongly doubt) then they can't pass the infection to visitors :)
I would be concerned that the neighbours are allowing this problem to continue with their aviary,have they done anything to remedy the infection?

[tamirra]

Not as yet Daffy as we only found out this morning that it was psittacosis that they had, the lady with the birds hasn`t been to the doctors for antibiotics yet shes been taking cold and flu caps.

[daffy654]

The neighbours need to remove the birds from the aviary and thoroughly clean and disinfect it before allowing the birds to be rehomed in it, otherwise the infection will just be ongoing. Psittacosis can be fatal in anyone with a compromised immune sytem so is a very serious infection.

I hope your parents get well soon.x

[LoftyLottie2]

I had a bird with psittacosis. I had to have her and her companion destroyed. They can be treated but it was too risky to keep them in a household, especially with young children about.

[sqad617]

Blimey lottie, it could have been you next. LOL