28.11.2012

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) of the Department of Health yasterday (November 27) provided an update on its joint investigation with the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department (AFCD) into an outbreak of psittacosis respiratory disease involving five AFCD male staff working in the New Territories North Animal Management Centre (NTNAMC) in Sheung Shui.
A CHP spokesman said that the respiratory specimens from three patients (a 55-year-old patient at Queen Mary Hospital, a 62-year-old patient in Alice Ho Miu Ling Nethersole Hospital and a 27-year-old patient who has been discharged from Yan Chai Hospital) tested positive for Chlamydophila psittaci by polymerase chain reaction.
So far, a total of five AFCD staff working in the NTNAMC have developed respiratory symptoms (mostly pneumonia) requiring admission to hospitals. One has recovered and the other four are currently in hospitals.
Psittacosis is a disease caused by Chlamydophila psittaci. It is usually transmitted to humans by inhaling the agent from the dried droppings and secretions of infected birds. Pet birds such as parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, macaws and poultry (turkeys and ducks) are most frequently involved. Person-to-person transmissions are rare.