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NON-NOTIFIABLE DISEASES.
Psittacosis.
This disease is caused by infection with a virus which is
harboured by parrots, budgerigars and cockatoos. Canaries,
pigeons and domestic fowls have also been proved to be responsible
for infection in man. The method of transmission is
contact with infected birds whose droppings contain the virus
which may be inhaled by people cleaning the cages or handling
the birds. Bites by infected parrots can also convey the
disease.
In December 1951, the ban on the importation of parrots
into this country, which had been in force since 1930, was lifted.
Shortly afterwards, 110 parrots from India were received by
the owner of a pet shop in Camberwell. These parrots showed
signs of sickness from the time of delivery and 104 died. Five
of the birds were sold, but it was not possible to trace the
purchasers. The proprietor of the pet shop was bitten by one of
the birds of this consignment and developed Psittacosis.
A second case occurred in a man who dealt with foreign
birds and who had been in contact with the first batch imported
into this country.
The following methods of control were put into operation : —
(i) The attention of Private Practitioners was drawn to
the possibility of cases of this disease occurring.
(ii) All cases of pneumonia notified to the Public Health
Department were investigated for possible association
of the patient with sick or recently dead birds.
(iii) All pet shops in the Borough were visited by the
Sanitary Inspectors who made enquiries and warned
the proprietors to watch for any illness among their
parrots, budgerigars, etc.
(iv) The cages of infected birds were burnt or disinfected.