On February 22, 2011, the Taiwan Centers for Disease Control (Taiwan CDC) announced this year’s first confirmed case of psittacosis in Taiwan.The case is a 44-year-old male who resides in the central part of Taiwan.On January 1, 2011, he developed headache, fever, chills, general body aches and coughing.On January 11, the case was reported to the local health authority by a medical center.On February 18, psittacosis was confirmed in the case by the Research and Diagnostic Center of Taiwan CDC after the third blood test.According to the epidemiological investigation conducted by the health authority, the bird the case keeps at home is a possible source of infection.As of now, the case has recovered and been discharged from the hospital after hospitalization for treatment.

Psittacosis is a rare disease that can be found worldwide.Over the past decade, only one case of psittacosis had been confirmed in Taiwan.The case occurred in Taoyuan County, Taiwan in 2008 and the case also had history of contact with birds.Psittacosis, also known as ornithosis, is a zoonotic bacterial disease that may occur in individual households, pet shops, bird owners, bird exhibits and pigeon farms.The disease was first reported in Switzerland in 1879 and then subsequently occurred in the United Kingdom, Europe, the United States, and Central and South America.Psittacosis has also been previously confirmed in Hong Kong.The incubation period for psittacosis ranges from 5 to 28 days.The clinical manifestations vary.Most cases begin with influenza-like symptoms such as headache, fever, chills, muscle pain, and coughing.Few cases experience swollen spleen, chest pain, and relative bradycardia.The more commonly seen severe complications include encephalitis, myocarditis, and phlebitis.

Psittacosis is usually spread from inhaling contaminated droplets or dusts such as dried droppings or secretions of infected birds or dusts from feathers.Human-to-human transmission is rare.The reservoirs include ornamental birds such as parrots, macaws, parakeets and cockatiels and some domesticated birds such as turkeys and ducks.Apparently healthy-looking birds may carry and shed the infectious agent, especially when overcrowded or during shipping.

Taiwan CDC advises bird owners to wear masks and gloves when cleaning bird droppings and feathers and wash hands thoroughly after cleaning.The general public is warned to keep a safe distance when watching birds to lower the risk of infection.If suspected symptoms develop, please seek immediate medical attention and inform the doctor of history of contact with birds.For more information, please visit the Taiwan CDC’s website: http://www.cdc.gov.tw/ or call the toll-free Communicable Disease Reporting and Consultation Hotline, 1922.