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Expert calms bird fears
By LUKE SAYER
11mar06
BIRD lovers are more likely to die from being struck by lightning than from parrot fever says a Hobart-based international expert.
But James Harris said it was important to take certain precautions to avoid being at risk of the infection, which killed a North-West man last week.
Dr Harris, who runs the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, has a long-standing interest in avian diseases, particularly those transferred from birds to humans.
He said the percentage of incidence of psittacosis -- or parrot fever -- and ornothosis, which relates to birds outside the parrot family, -- was high but the mortality rate was very low.
"If you look at the statistics for North America between 1900 and 2000, more people die from lightning strikes on golf courses on Sunday than from parrot fever," Dr Harris said.
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He warned that parrot fever was a very debilitating infection once people contracted it.
The biggest problem was that birds carrying the bacteria often did not show symptoms.
The infection is passed to humans from birds in their droppings, which can be breathed in when they dry.
Dr Harris said the incidence of psittacosis was at its greatest when a bird was stressed -- often after being moved or going to a new home.
"It is a fairly common disease but not easily diagnosed in a live bird," he said.
"If people have birds and require a new bird, it should be quarantined for at least six weeks and any signs of illness should be treated by a veterinarian.
"Most cases occur within two to four weeks of acquiring a new bird, so if you have a new bird and start to show signs of flu, see your physician.
"And make sure you tell them you have a new bird because people very often don't tell their doctor about family pets."
He said people should be very cautious if they gave a bird to a person with low immune levels.
"Birds require as much care and maintenance as a dog or a cat. People often get birds thinking they are easy to care for, but they require their own special care," Dr Harris said.
He said cages should be cleaned daily, with the droppings disposed of carefully.
Dr Harris said psittacosis was only one of 82 zoonotic (any disease transmitted from animals to man) diseases, and one of four main risks relating to birds.
The other major risks to humans were avian tuberculosis, salmonella and an allergic condition known as pigeon fanciers' lung disease.
Tasmanian health authorities are still waiting on tests to confirm the 56-year-old man from the North-West died of psittacosis.
His partner was also hospitalised with what was believed to be the same infection but was released earlier this week.
By LUKE SAYER
11mar06
BIRD lovers are more likely to die from being struck by lightning than from parrot fever says a Hobart-based international expert.
But James Harris said it was important to take certain precautions to avoid being at risk of the infection, which killed a North-West man last week.
Dr Harris, who runs the Mayfair Veterinary Clinic in Sandy Bay, has a long-standing interest in avian diseases, particularly those transferred from birds to humans.
He said the percentage of incidence of psittacosis -- or parrot fever -- and ornothosis, which relates to birds outside the parrot family, -- was high but the mortality rate was very low.
"If you look at the statistics for North America between 1900 and 2000, more people die from lightning strikes on golf courses on Sunday than from parrot fever," Dr Harris said.
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</TD></TR><TR><TD width=1>
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He warned that parrot fever was a very debilitating infection once people contracted it.
The biggest problem was that birds carrying the bacteria often did not show symptoms.
The infection is passed to humans from birds in their droppings, which can be breathed in when they dry.
Dr Harris said the incidence of psittacosis was at its greatest when a bird was stressed -- often after being moved or going to a new home.
"It is a fairly common disease but not easily diagnosed in a live bird," he said.
"If people have birds and require a new bird, it should be quarantined for at least six weeks and any signs of illness should be treated by a veterinarian.
"Most cases occur within two to four weeks of acquiring a new bird, so if you have a new bird and start to show signs of flu, see your physician.
"And make sure you tell them you have a new bird because people very often don't tell their doctor about family pets."
He said people should be very cautious if they gave a bird to a person with low immune levels.
"Birds require as much care and maintenance as a dog or a cat. People often get birds thinking they are easy to care for, but they require their own special care," Dr Harris said.
He said cages should be cleaned daily, with the droppings disposed of carefully.
Dr Harris said psittacosis was only one of 82 zoonotic (any disease transmitted from animals to man) diseases, and one of four main risks relating to birds.
The other major risks to humans were avian tuberculosis, salmonella and an allergic condition known as pigeon fanciers' lung disease.
Tasmanian health authorities are still waiting on tests to confirm the 56-year-old man from the North-West died of psittacosis.
His partner was also hospitalised with what was believed to be the same infection but was released earlier this week.