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Psittacosis contagion in 1930: an old story in a new era of zoonotic disease.
Weston, Kathryn M; Polkinghorne, Adam; Branley, James.
  • Weston KM; Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, 2522, New South Wales, Australia. Electronic address: kathw@uow.edu.au.
  • Polkinghorne A; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, New South Wales Health Pathology, Nepean Blue Mountains Pathology Service, Penrith, 2750, New South Wales, Australia; Nepean Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Kingswood, 2747, New South Wales, Australia.
  • Branley J; Department of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, New South Wales Health Pathology, Nepean Blue Mountains Pathology Service, Penrith, 2750, New South Wales, Australia; Nepean Clinical School, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Kingswood, 2747, New South Wales, Australia.
Microbes Infect ; : 105076, 2022 Nov 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2320409
ABSTRACT
The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has highlighted the importance of zoonotic diseases. Psittacosis, a human disease resulting from infection spill-over from Chlamydia psittaci-infected birds, is a lesser-known example of a zoonosis. Psittacosis was responsible for numerous outbreaks in the 1930s, characterised by significant human mortality and disruption to the global trade in parrots. This paper describes the epidemiological and clinical details of one family group impacted by the purchase of an infected, imported parrot. Findings are discussed in the context of a growing awareness of the health risks of global disease outbreaks, as well as social and economic impacts. Health information recorded for cases of psittacosis associated with the 1930s cluster was reviewed using contemporary knowledge of disease symptoms and epidemiology. Case details and autopsy reports were examined. Public health investigation deduced that the cluster of infections was chronologically and physically connected to the purchase and subsequent death of an imported parrot. Disease symptoms were consistent with C. psittaci infection. Epidemiological data supported the diagnoses and causes of death, despite the presenting symptoms sharing significant overlap with other common respiratory diseases. There is growing awareness of the risks of epidemiological bridges in transmitting animal diseases to humans. Historical cases are a strong reminder of the fundamental role of scientific and public health responses in the face of such contagion.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Microbes Infect Journal subject: Allergy and Immunology / Microbiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Type of study: Prognostic study Language: English Journal: Microbes Infect Journal subject: Allergy and Immunology / Microbiology Year: 2022 Document Type: Article