Sweden has issued a health alert following a surge in cases of "parrot fever" in the country.
At least 25 people have been confirmed as infected with the flu-like disease, which is transmitted through wild birds such as parrots and parakeets, as well as pet birds. The disease, known as psittacosis, can initially present as a mild illness but can quickly progress to severe pneumonia and meningitis, similar to bird flu.
The Swedish Public Health Agency, Folkhlsomyndigheten, has reported 12 cases of psittacosis in December alone, indicating a growing spread of the disease. While the primary mode of transmission is through inhalation of particles from bird droppings, recent studies suggest that human-to-human transmission may be more common than previously thought.
Professor Paul Hunter from the University of East Anglia explained that Sweden has seen a significant increase in psittacosis cases since 2016. The cause of this rise is still uncertain, but it is suspected that the inclusion of the disease in new diagnostic test panels may have contributed to the increase. Previously, the test was mainly conducted when specifically requested by a doctor.
Psittacosis is caused by a bacteria called Chlamydophila psittaci and has a mortality rate of 90% in infected birds. The disease also poses a significant risk to pregnant women, with more than 80% of those infected experiencing pregnancy loss.
Professor John Tregoning from Imperial College London highlighted that individuals who live with birds or work with poultry are at an increased risk of contracting psittacosis, particularly if the environment is poorly ventilated or if proper personal protective equipment is not used when cleaning bird cages.
The health alert serves as a reminder for individuals to take necessary precautions when handling birds and to seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms after exposure to birds.
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