Probable psittacosis outbreak linked to wild birds.
In autumn 2002, an outbreak of probable psittacosis occurred among residents of the Blue Mountains district, Australia. We conducted a case-control study to determine independent risk factors for psittacosis by comparing exposures between hospitalized patients and other residents selected randomly from the telephone directory. Of the 59 case-patients with laboratory results supportive of psittacosis, 48 participated in a case-control study with 310 controls. Independent risk factors were residence in the upper Blue Mountains (odds ratio [OR] 15.2, 95% confidence interval [CI] 5.6-41.7), age of 50-64 years (OR 3.9, 95% CI 1.5-10.5), direct contact with wild birds (OR 7.4, 95% CI 2.5-22), and mowing lawns without a grass catcher (OR 3.2, 95% CI 1.3-8.0). Protective equipment is recommended for residents in areas frequented by free-ranging birds if contact with birds and their droppings is likely when performing outdoor activities such as lawn mowing.
Telfer
Barbara L
BL
Communicable Diseases Branch, New South Wales (NSW) State Department of Health, Sydney, NSW, Australia. btelf@doh.health.nsw.gov.au
Moberley
Sarah A
SA
Hort
Krishna P
KP
Branley
James M
JM
Dwyer
Dominic E
DE
Muscatello
David J
DJ
Correll
Patricia K
PK
England
John
J
McAnulty
Jeremy M
JM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D001717:Birds / Q000382:microbiology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D012307:Risk Factors