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An outbreak of psittacosis in a boys' boarding school
The Journal of Hygiene
|June 1, 1984
Abstract:
In 1980, an outbreak of a mild illness involving twenty pupils and four adults in a boys' boarding school was identified serologically as psittacosis. Intensive epidemiological investigations did not uncover the source. It is suggested either that sources of chlamydia other than avian exist, which may produce a milder illness than the avian type, or that human-to-human spread of a mild form of chlamydiosis occurs.
Insights
An outbreak of mild psittacosis occurred in a boarding school, but the source remained elusive. Researchers suggest non-avian chlamydia sources or human-to-human transmission may explain the mild illness.
Area of Science:
- Infectious Disease Epidemiology
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Psittacosis, typically associated with avian sources, can cause significant illness.
- An unexplained outbreak of mild illness occurred in a boys' boarding school in 1980.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the source and transmission dynamics of a psittacosis outbreak.
- To investigate potential alternative sources or transmission routes for Chlamydia psittaci.
Main Methods:
- Serological testing to confirm psittacosis diagnosis.
- Intensive epidemiological investigation to trace the outbreak's origin.
Main Results:
- The outbreak involved twenty pupils and four adults, confirmed serologically as psittacosis.
- Despite investigations, the specific source of the infection could not be identified.
Conclusions:
- The findings suggest the possibility of non-avian reservoirs for Chlamydia, potentially leading to milder disease presentations.
- Human-to-human transmission of a less severe form of chlamydiosis is also proposed as a potential explanation for the outbreak.