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Psittacosis

Parakeets sitting in a cage

Psittacosis is an infectious disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, a type of bacteria that most often infects birds. Psittacosis causes a wide range of symptoms in people, including fever, headache, and a dry cough. This illness can also cause pneumonia (a lung infection) that may require treatment or care in a hospital. Rarely, psittacosis can be deadly.

New 2017 Compendium!

The National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians released an updated Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydia psittaci Infection Among Humans (Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis). View the Compendium and related resources.

How Do You Say That?

Find pronunciation guides below for common words associated with psittacosis.

  • Chlamydia — klah-MID-e-a
  • Pneumonia — noo-MOAN-yah
  • Psittaci — SIT-ah-see
  • Psittacosis — sit-ah-KOH-sis

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