Argentina: More than 100 confirmed psittacosis cases reported in 2024 to date
The Argentina Ministry of Health reports 518 notifications of psittacosis, or parrot fever cases through May 18.
Of this total, 105 cases were confirmed (20%), 16 (3%) probable, and the rest were categorized as “in study".
Year to date, cases have been confirmed in 11 jurisdictions: 84 percent were concentrated in the Central region (there were cases in all the provinces of the Region, mainly in Buenos Aires); 9% in Cuyo (San Juan and San Luis); 6% in the NOA (Santiago del Estero, Catamarca and Jujuy); and the 2% in the Southern region (La Pampa).
Psittacosis cases reached the outbreak level in early March.
The highest number of cases was recorded in the group 30-39 years old (29), followed by 40 to 49 years (22) and 50 to 59 years (19).
Four deaths were recorded among confirmed cases. Three of the deceased were residents of the province of Buenos Aires, and the other from the province of Entre Ríos.
Psittacosis, aka Parrot fever is a disease caused by bacteria called Chlamydophila psittaci. It is usually transmitted by inhaling the agent from dried droppings or secretions of infected birds.
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Patients with psittacosis usually present fever, headache, rash, muscle pain, chills and dry cough. Pneumonia may sometimes occur, and occasional complications include encephalitis, myocarditis and thrombophlebitis.
The disease can be treated effectively with antibiotics. The disease is not normally transmitted from person to person.
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