Chlamydiosis - Psittacosis

Using the Reportable

Zoonoses Guidelines

Photo by Taste of Home

Under the new Animal Health Act certain zoonoses are

reportable to the Chief Veterinary Officer (CVO), then

shared with Public Health.

Public Health assess human health risk and manage human

follow up.

BCCDC has developed “Reportable Zoonoses Guidelines”

assist Public Health staff with these infrequently reported

diseases.

Reportable Zoonoses Guidelines

Reporting and timelines

Labs/vet notifies the CVO The CVO notifies the PHO (BCCDC) and the BCCDC notifies the MHO in the affected HA.

Reporting of the animal case to the MHO should occur within 24h of diagnosis. 

Public Health Response Prevent transmission to humans Mitigate an ongoing source of infection Facilitate early diagnosis and treatment

Outbreaks Human outbreaks are rare Ministry of Agriculture - lead in bird outbreaks

Risk Assessment

Public health should: Contact vet or lab Contact the affected site Assess for human exposure Assess risk of ongoing transmission

Young birds are kept together until they find a partner

at about 4 months old.

Chlamydiosis in birds Nasal/ocular discharge Ruffled feathers Loss of appetite/weight loss Green droppings/diarrhea

Psittacosis in humans Fever/chills Headache Loss of appetite Sore throat May lead to serious atypical pneumonia Rare cases lead to severe systemic illness

Exposure Infected birds can appear healthy Birds can shed the organism intermittently Organism can remain infectious for over a month

if protected by organic debris (e.g., litter and feces).

Treatment Birds and humans can be treated with antibiotics.

Nesting boxes can have 2 sides, one for the young birds, and another for the breeding pair to prepare a

new nest.

Fraser Health Contacted the vet Contacted VCHA Contacted WCB to make a referral for workers Contacted the farm manager Sent health information to be shared with anyone

in contact with the birds

FV vet Provided information on treatment of the birds,

cleaning and disinfecting Recommended farmer contact specialty bird vet

in VancouverVancouver vet Provided antibiotic treatment for canker

Animal Health Centre contacted CFIA.

WCB Visited the farm on Sept 22 and 23. Reviewed personal protective equipment

Provided work safety information

Public Health Visited farm

Advised by manager birds recovered

No staff illness

ReviewGood Guidelines were easy to follow

Future issues Reduce reporting time WCB not familiar with this illness Follow up to ensure bird health Follow to ensure birds ok at slaughter

New baby pigeons are born at the farm

Questions?