Man Contracts Rare Pneumonia Linked to Purchased Parakeet
ROTTERDAM, SOUTH HOLLAND – A patient in the Zuid-Holland Zuid region recently recovered from a severe pneumonia after being diagnosed with psittacose, a respiratory illness contracted from a parakeet purchased via Marktplaats, the Dutch online marketplace.the case, investigated by the GGD Zuid-Holland Zuid in collaboration with the Netherlands Food and Veterinary Authority (NVWA), highlights the ongoing risk of zoonotic disease transmission and underscores the importance of informing healthcare providers about pet ownership.
Psittacose, caused by the bacterium Chlamydia psittaci, is often misdiagnosed as typical pneumonia because it doesn’t respond to standard antibiotic treatments. The infection, transmissible from birds to humans, can range from mild flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory illness requiring hospitalization. while relatively uncommon, experts believe psittacose is substantially underreported, perhaps five times more prevalent than current diagnoses suggest. This is often due to patients and even some medical professionals failing to connect symptoms with bird exposure.
The patient’s illness prompted a swift response from public health officials. After learning the bird originated from a seller in the Achterhoek region, the GGD alerted the NVWA Incident and Crisis Center (NVIC). Investigators traced the purchase and visited the seller’s premises, discovering another sick bird on site. testing confirmed the presence of Chlamydia psittaci in that bird, leading to a temporary halt in sales until all animals received treatment.
Research indicates that birds, particularly when stressed – during transport or at events like bird fairs - shed more of the bacteria. A 2007 study found that one in twelve pigeons on Amsterdam’s Dam square carried the bacterium. That same year, eleven people fell ill after attending a bird fair.Medical students are routinely taught to inquire about both travel history (for potential legionella exposure) and bird contact when evaluating patients presenting with pneumonia.
The patient responded rapidly to appropriate antibiotic therapy and was discharged from the hospital after one week to continue recovery at home. The GGD IJsselland conducted a survey in 2019 emphasizing the need for bird owners to inform their general practitioners of their hobby, facilitating quicker and more accurate diagnoses. The case serves as a critical reminder of the potential health risks associated with bird ownership and the importance of vigilance in both veterinary and human healthcare.
