Who gets psittacosis? Because birds in the parrot family spread this disease, it is occasionally found in pet store workers, bird owners, zoo employees, and veterinarians. It may also rarely be found in farmers and slaughterhouse workers who process poultry (turkeys, chickens, and ducks), especially turkeys.

How do you catch psittacosis?

The most common way someone gets infected is by breathing in the dust from these dried secretions. Less commonly, birds infect people through bites and beak-to-mouth contact. In general, people do not spread psittacosis to other people. However, this is possible in rare cases.

What does psittacosis do to humans?

Psittacosis can affect the lungs and may cause inflammatory illness of the lungs (pneumonia). Additional common symptoms include fever, muscle pain (myalgia), headaches, and a dry cough. Psittacosis is caused by infection with the bacterium, Chlamydia psittaci, and may also be known as ornithosis.