Primary prevention
Preventive strategies include screening high-risk avian and mammalian species for infection and treating these animals appropriately. Gloves and masks should be worn when handling birds or cleaning their cages.[12] No vaccines have been developed, but vaccine candidates have been tested in animals.[29]
Secondary prevention
Psittacosis is a notifiable condition in the US. Clinicians are encouraged to use a case report form to gather comprehensive case information.
Psittacosis case surveillance report Opens in new window
It is difficult to recommend preventive actions, because pet birds and animals may asymptomatically carry Chlamydia psittaci. Consequently, the recommendation is to seek treatment early for respiratory symptoms if pet birds in particular are kept in the home, or if there is exposure to commercially raised birds or poultry, or exposure to meat suspected of being contaminated with the organism.
The following prevention measures are recommended:[12]
Educate people in contact with birds about the risk.
Reduce risk of infection when caring for exposed or ill birds (e.g., wear protective clothing when handling birds or cleaning cages).
Sellers should maintain accurate records of bird-related transactions for 1 year.
Avoid buying or selling birds that are ill.
Avoid mixing birds from multiple sources to prevent outbreaks.
Quarantine newly-acquired or exposed birds (e.g., bird shows/fairs) for at least 30 days.
Isolate ill birds.
Screen birds with frequent public contact.
Practice preventive husbandry (e.g., position cages to prevent transfer of material between cages, clean food and water bowls daily).
Control transmission from infected/exposed birds using good husbandry.
Use disinfection measures (e.g., 1:1000 dilution of quaternary ammonium compounds, 1:32 dilution of household bleach).
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