Urgent warning on ‘avian chlamydia’ after five humans die in ‘unusual’ outbreak sweeping Europe

Five Europeans have died in an outbreak of avian chlamydia that has spooked health chiefs.

World Health Organization (WHO) officials issued an urgent alert about an “unusual” increase in humans contracting psittacosis in Germany, the Netherlands, Austria, Denmark and Sweden.

The flu-like illness, nicknamed parrot fever, is caused by a type of chlamydia very common in birds.

It is different from the strain responsible for the human STI and is not transmitted sexually.

Psittacosis usually triggers mild symptoms such as headaches and cough. However, it can cause severe pneumonia and meningitis in severe cases.

It can be especially problematic for older or immunocompromised people.

Surveillance data show that rates of psittacosis, sometimes called ornithosis, are up to seven times higher than expected in Austria.

The WHO said: “While birds carrying this disease could be crossing international borders, there is currently no indication that this disease is transmitted by humans domestically or internationally.

“People generally do not transmit the bacteria that causes psittacosis to others, so there is a low chance of the disease being transmitted from person to person.

“If diagnosed correctly, this pathogen can be treated with antibiotics.”

Authorities have urged owners of domestic birds, which are most at risk, to keep cages clean and avoid overcrowding.

Workers who have regular contact with potentially infected birds, such as pet store employees and veterinarians, should also maintain good hand hygiene, the WHO said.

Infected birds do not always show signs of being sick. Sick birds may have a lack of appetite, swollen eyes, difficulty breathing, and diarrhea.

Parrot fever is a respiratory disease caused by the bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci.

The insect can infect people exposed to infected birds, particularly parrots, parakeets, parakeets and cockatoos.

Pigeons, turtledoves, ducks, turkeys and chickens can also be infected.

Infection commonly occurs by breathing airborne bacteria from bird feces, feather dust, or respiratory secretions.

Human-to-human transmission is possible but rare, studies show.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there is no evidence that the bacteria is spread by preparing or eating poultry.

In most recent cases, people had been exposed to domestic or wild birds that were infected, the WHO said.

Denmark, which normally sees around two dozen human cases of psittacosis a year, has recorded 23 cases since the end of 2023. This includes four deaths.

However, authorities suspect the number of cases is much higher.

One contracted parrot fever from a pet bird. Of the other 15 with exposure information available, 12 had contact with wild birds.

Three had no history of any kind with animals.

Another death was recorded in the Netherlands, where twice as many cases were recorded as in previous years.

Among the three other nations flagged by the WHO, Austria recorded 14 confirmed cases in 2023. Normally, the country only sees two per year.

The latest figures from the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) show four laboratory-confirmed cases of psittacosis in England in 2023.

In Britain, parakeets, the UK’s only wild species of parrot and a popular domestic pet, could pose a particular threat due to their large numbers across the country.

Scientists have long expressed concern about the growing number of rose-ringed parakeets, which are largely concentrated in suburban areas, particularly in gardens and parks across the leafy south-east of England.