'Parrot fever' kills five people in Europe: causes, symptoms, and treatments

People in various European nations have been afflicted with parrot fever, a fatal bacterial infection. Fever, chills, and headaches are the symptoms.

Numerous European nations have seen a fatal outbreak of psittacosis, also known as parrot fever.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recorded an increase in cases, including five deaths, in Austria, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, and The Netherlands. Contact with infected birds is the main cause of the infection.


There has been a noticeable rise in psittacosis instances in 2023 and early 2024, especially after November and December of 2023. 

Psittacosis: What is it?

The respiratory illness known as parrot fever, or pustacosis, is brought on by the bacteria Chlamydophila psittaci, which is frequently present in parrots. People who work with pet birds, poultry, veterinarians, and gardeners in places where there are diseased bird populations are among those who can contract the virus from infected birds.

Examinations and Activities

The afflicted nations are beginning epidemiological studies in an effort to find possible exposure sources and case clusters. To find out the prevalence of C. psittaci is, samples from wild birds are examined.


Based on the information at together, WHO continues to monitor the situation and rates the risk as low.