Preventive measures:
(1) protecting humans
(2) housing birds
(3) transferring birds
(4) cleaning
Protecting humans:
(1) Educate anyone who may come in contact with birds or their waste on spread of psittacosis and its signs and symptoms.
(2) Wear a fitted N95 mask (a surgical mask may not be completely protective).
(3) Wear protective clothing (cap, outer wear, gloves, eye covering).
(4) Necropsies on dead birds should be done in biological safety cabinet after spraying the carcass with a detergent and water solution to reduce aersols.
Housing birds:
(1) Cages should be positioned to prevent spread of feces, feathers, food or contaminated material between cages. Cages should not be stacked and adjoining cages should have a solid separating barrier.
(2) The bottom of cages should have wire mesh, with an absorbent litter that will not generate a dust underneath.
(3) Protect the birds from undue stress and malnutrition.
(4) Observe birds daily and weigh at least once a week.
(5) Rooms should be well-ventilated with appropriate outdoor exhaust.
(6) Remove sources of calcium and divalent cations (oyster shell, mineral blocks, cuttlebone) from cages of birds being treated since cations may interfere with absorption of tetracyclines.
Transferring birds:
(1) Avoid buying or selling birds that have signs of avian chlamydiosis.
(2) Isolate new, ill or exposed birds separately from other birds for at least 30 days. Test and treat prophylactically.
(3) Test birds before they leave.
(4) Maintain accurate records of all bird-related transactions.
Cleaning:
(1) Wash all surfaces with soap and water, followed by use of a disinfectant.
(2) Disinfect surfaces with a dilute quarternary ammonium solution, 1% Lysol, 1% bleach, 70% isopropyl alcohol or chlorophenol solution.
(3) Clean and disinfect all cages, food bowls and water bowls daily.
(4) Wet any dry material prior to collection. Do not use a vacuum sweeper that may generate an aerosol.
(5) Waste should be immediately double bagged and either burned or properly disposed of.
