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[Psittacosis outbreak in Granada, Spain]
Maria Teresa León Espinosa de los Monteros1, Juan Antonio Laguna Sorina, Maria Trinidad Rueda da Domingo
1Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves de Granada. mayte@moebius.es
Revista Espanola De Salud Publica
|February 14, 2006
Summary
An occupational outbreak of psittacosis, a pneumonia caused by Chlamydia psittaci, occurred in humans due to bird exposure. Coordinated health and agriculture efforts successfully controlled the spread.
Area of Science:
- Veterinary Medicine
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Context:
- Psittacosis, an atypical pneumonia, is zoonotic and transmissible from infected birds to humans.
- Outbreaks necessitate rapid source identification and control measures to prevent further human and animal cases.
Purpose:
- To investigate the source and characteristics of a psittacosis outbreak.
- To describe the epidemiological features of affected individuals.
- To detail the control and prevention strategies implemented.
Summary:
- A descriptive study identified an occupational psittacosis outbreak linked to diseased animals.
- Seventeen individuals were exposed, with nine showing symptoms including fever and flu-like illness. The deceased tested positive for C. psittaci DNA.
- Diagnostic confirmation was achieved through serology and PCR, with C. psittaci DNA detected in the deceased's pulmonary tissue. Seven environmental samples tested positive for the antigen.
Impact:
- The outbreak was traced to occupational exposure to diseased animals.
- Effective collaboration between Health and Agriculture authorities prevented additional cases.
- This highlights the importance of inter-agency cooperation in managing zoonotic disease outbreaks.