Argentina - Government confirms human psittacosis case(s?) April 20, 2024

[Mary Wilson]

hat tip to epicore for the government link


Argentina, Ministry of Health. Press release (Apr 20, 2024):

https://www.argentina.gob.ar/notici...s-en-el-marco-del-estudio-de-neumonias-agudas

An increase in cases of psittacosis was verified in the framework of the study of severe acute pneumonia

Given this situation, we are working with health actors to raise awareness of epidemiological surveillance and inform health teams, promote early detection, diagnosis and appropriate clinical management, and disseminate prevention and control measures.

Published on Saturday, April 20, 2024​

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The Ministry of Health of the Nation, based on data from the National Health Surveillance System and those provided by different actors in the health system involved, verified an increase in cases of psittacosis in the context of the study of cases of severe acute pneumonia that had been reported by some establishments in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan Area and by the Argentine Society of Intensive Care.
Among the cases investigated, cases with a diagnosis of Mycoplasma pneumoniae and Chlamydia pneumoniae were also detected in a number no greater than expected. No cases of non-subtypeable influenza A viruses have been detected, nor other respiratory viruses outside of those known in circulation. On the other hand, an increase in the number of reported cases of pneumonia is not verified in the National Health Surveillance System (SNVS).
Faced with this situation, the technical teams of the national health portfolio, the national reference laboratories, the Ministry of Health of the Province of Buenos Aires together with the Argentine Society of Infectology, the Argentine Society of Medicine and the Argentine Society of Intensive Care, worked on an Epidemiological Communication to raise awareness of epidemiological surveillance and inform health teams regarding psittacosis and pneumonia acquired in the community suspected of being caused by atypical germs. At the same time, promoting early detection, its diagnosis and adequate clinical management, disseminating infection control measures and research, prevention and control of psittacosis.
The Ministry of Health continues to monitor the situation permanently together with jurisdictional teams.
Prevention measures and recommendations

• Do not capture wild birds, nor buy them on public roads.
• Keep birds in ventilated places with enough space, without overcrowding them.
• Feed the birds correctly and keep the cages clean.
• Do not stay for long periods in closed rooms where there are birds.
• Do not introduce birds recently captured or purchased without a health certificate into cages where there are already other birds.

If respiratory symptoms occur in people having been in contact with possibly sick birds, it is necessary to go to the nearest health center or hospital in order to make the relevant consultation. While the disease is usually mild or moderate, it can sometimes be severe, especially in the elderly and people who do not receive timely treatment.
Preventive measures for the maintenance of birds in captivity

• Daily clean the floor and any surface of the cage or surroundings in contact with the birds' fecal matter.
• Always moisten previously with disinfectant solutions (2 tablespoons of bleach diluted in a liter of water) to avoid the production of aerosols from dried droppings.
• Avoid all types of stress in the birds, respect the vital space of each bird, feed them correctly and place them in ventilated places.
• Do not stay for long periods in closed rooms where there are birds.
• Isolate the newly acquired birds for 30-45 days, perform a direct or indirect diagnosis. Start a treatment, before adding them to the group.

If you purchase birds:

• Buy birds in authorized stores and with veterinary advice, never buy on the street from street vendors.
• Require a health certificate signed by the responsible professional.
• Ask for proof of purchase, since if psittacosis occurs it is possible to verify its origin and act in the store, since it is likely that there are other affected birds there.
• Avoid buying or selling birds that show signs of ocular or nasal discharge, diarrhea or a state of weight loss.

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Also a media report found by epicore

snip

this year there was a 27% increase in confirmed cases of psittacosiscompared to the situation in 2023. It is an increase of 165% compared to the average of the last 5 years, as reported by the Ministry of Health of the Nation in its latest epidemiological bulletin.

There have already been 3 deaths reported from the infection this year.​

https://www.infobae.com/salud/2024/...-detecto-un-brote-de-psitacosis-en-argentina/

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