[Psittacosis outbreak in Granada, Spain].
BACKGROUND
Psittacosis can be transmitted to humans from infected birds, being the cause of atypical pneumonia. This work is aimed at determining the source of a psittacosis outbreak, the characteristics of the subjects exposed and describing the measures to control the outbreak.


METHODS
Descriptive study. Notification to the Epidemiological Monitoring System and Autonomic Agriculture authorities, taking the pertinent measures (inspection, sampling, disinfecting and precautionary quarantine of birds), closing the establishment. Case definition and epidemiological survey. Frequency analysis.


RESULTS
Seventeen (17) individuals (one of whom died) came into contact with suspicious animals (53% males/47% females), nine of whom (mean age: 30) showed symptoms (100% fever, flu-like symptoms 44.4%). A serology was performed for C. psitacci on 11 of the 17 subjects exposed (68.75%), two of whom (18.18%) tested positive. The presence of C. psittaci DNA was detected in the pulmonary tissue study conducted on the deceased individual. A total of 33% (3/9) of those showing symptoms were confirmed by diagnosis. The Autonomic Agriculture authorities placed 22 animal compounds under quarantine. A total of seven (10%) of the 70 samples taken (60: animal cloacas and 10 birds) revealed a positive antigen, the PCR nucleic acid test being positive in one there-of.


CONCLUSIONS
The exposure to diseased animals at the establishments involved caused the outbreak, the common source of contagion being of an occupational nature. The appropriate coordination/collaboration between the local Health and Agriculture authorities made it possible to prevent any further cases from arising.
Servicio de Medicina Preventiva, Hospital Universitario Virgen de las Nieves de Granada. mayte@moebius.es
Maria Teresa León
MT
Espinosa de los Monteros
Juan Antonio
JA
Laguna Sorina
Maria Trinidad
MT
Rueda da Domingo
Begoña
B
López Hernández
Maria José
MJ
Bermejo Pérez
José Carlos
JC
Sabonet
D000328:Adult; D002691:Chlamydophila psittaci / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008168:Lung / Q000382:microbiology; D008297:Male; D009956:Psittacosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality / Q000517:prevention & control; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D015047:Zoonoses
D004269:DNA, Bacterial