PET PEEVES

In britain we keep an estimated one million caged birds,but they are not without their health risks-the main one is parrot fever or psittacosis.This bacterial desease is caught from breathing in secretions of infected beirds such as parrots,parakeets and budgerigars.It is not known how many carry the desease.Public health england says their are officially only around fifty cases a year in britain,but it acknowledges this is probably an underestimate,as many milder cases go unreported.In humans it can cause fever,chills,breathing issues and a dry cough.In the worst cases it can lead to blood poisoning and respiratory failure and the best way to beat it is to keep cages in a well ventilated area as the bacteria is more likely to disperse in the air.Clean cages often to avoid droppings drying and becoming easier to inhale.Use disinfectants and try not to disturb the dust whilst cleaning.