Surveillance and Reporting
Surveillance, United States
Psittacosis is a reportable condition in most states. CDC tracks psittacosis through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). State health departments report psittacosis to CDC through NNDSS. Health departments should report both suspected and confirmed cases.
Since 2010, CDC has typically received reports of fewer than 10 cases in the United States each year. However, experts believe the disease is potentially underreported and underdiagnosed.
Trends, United States
Between 1988 and 2010, the number of reported psittacosis cases decreased. This decline may be the result of improved diagnostic tests that distinguish Chlamydia psittaci from more common C. pneumoniae infections.
The number of cases can vary widely from year to year because of periodic outbreaks. For example, poultry processing plants have reported psittacosis outbreaks. In 2018, a multistate psittacosis outbreak among poultry plant workers had 13 laboratory confirmed cases.
- Case report forms and other resources are available from the National Association of State Public Health Veterinarians.
- Chlamydia pneumoniae infection