SATURDAY DEC 29, 2007 (Foodconsumer.org) -- Washington State Department of Health issued a warning on Dec 28 that some recently sold cockatiels or other pet birds may carry a disease known as avian chlamydiosis and exposure to the infected birds may cause a human form of the disease called psittacosis or parrot fever or ornithosis.

Some birds shipped by a national distributor tested positive for avian chlamydiosis and about 20 PetSmart store in 11 Washington counties including Benton, Clark, King, Kitsap, Pierce, Skagit, Snohomish, Spokane, Thurston, Whatcom and Yakima have received birds from this vendor, according to state health officials.

No human cases of psittacosis acquired from the affected pet birds have been reported in the state, according to the state department of health.

The pet store chain has voluntarily removed all birds supplied by the wholesale distributor. Sick and exposed birds are being treated with antibiotics.  

Store workers have been notified of the risk and instructed in proper cleanup and handling of the birds.  

Consumers who bought birds from the affected stores will receive letters about avian chlamydiosis and psittacosis.

Avian chlamydiosis is caused by a type of bacterium called Chlamydophila psittaci, which is frequently found in birds, but does not cause the disease as frequently.  

Sick birds experience loss of appetite, coughing, nasal discharge, sneezing, lethargy and diarrhea.   The birds most vulnerable to the disease are psittacine species including cockatiels, cockatoos, parrots and parakeets.

Humans can develop psittacosis after inhaling dust from dried bird droppings, respiratory secretions and dust from feathers of infected birds.    The symptoms of the disease in humans include fever, headache, chills, coughing and muscle aches.   The symptoms, often mild, develop within 5 to 19 days of infection. Antibiotics are often used to treat the disease.

Psittacosis is rare in humans.   The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on July 14, 2000 that the agency recorded 813 cases of psittacosis during the period between 1988 and 1998.   Most of the cases resulted from exposure to infected pet birds, usually cockatiels, parakeets, parrots, and macaws, which may not have to show any symptoms to cause the infection.

In Connecticut, the State Departments of Agriculture and Public Health also issued a statement on Dec 28 to say the state was notified that cockatiels in several pet stores in the state might have exposed to avian chlamydiosis.

The health officials said no sick birds are known to have been sold and no human cases of psittacosis associated with sick birds have been reported.

Health officials in both Washington and Connecticut advised owners of pet birds to exercise good hygiene practice.   To prevent the spreading of the disease from birds to humans, a non-dusty litter should be used under the wire mesh and changed daily. Water and food feeders should be emptied and thoroughly cleaned up daily.

For more information on Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr4908a1.htm