Psittacosis, also known as parrot fever and ornithosis, is a bacterial infection that can cause severe pneumonia and other serious health problems in humans. It is caused by Chlamydia psittaci. Reclassification of the order Chlamydiales in 1999 into 2 genera (Chlamydia and Chlamydophila) was not wholly accepted or adopted. This resulted in a reversion to the single, original genus Chlamydia, which now encompasses all 9 species including Chlamydia psittaci. During 2003-2014, 112 human cases of psittacosis were reported to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention through the Nationally Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System. While many types of birds can be infected by C psittaci, in general, the literature suggests that human cases can most often occur after exposure to infected parrot-type birds kept as pets, especially cockatiels, parakeets, and conures. In birds, C psittaci infection is referred to as avian chlamydiosis. Infected birds shed the bacteria through feces and nasal discharges, and humans become infected from exposure to these materials. This compendium provides information about psittacosis and avian chlamydiosis to public health officials, physicians, veterinarians, the pet bird industry, and others concerned with controlling these diseases and protecting public health. The recommendations in this compendium provide standardized procedures to control C psittaci infections. This document will be reviewed and revised as necessary, and the most current version replaces all previous versions. This document was last revised in 2010. Major changes in this version include a recommendation for a shorter treatment time for birds with avian chlamydiosis, additional information about diagnostic testing, including genotyping, clearer language associated with personal protective equipment recommended for those caring for confirmed or exposed birds, and incorporating a grading scale with recommendations generally based on the United States Preventive Services Task Force's methods.

The effect of dexamethasone administration, isolation stress, or transportation stress on the ability of exogenous estradiol to induce estrus in progesterone-primed, ovariectomized ewes was evaluated in this study. Dexamethasone administered twice daily over a 6-d period, or a single injection at either 2 h before estradiol administration or 8 h after estradiol treatment, delayed or blocked the expression of estrous behavior. In those animals in which dexamethasone did not block the onset of estrus, the average length of estrus was reduced. Isolation stress, which induced significant increases in the plasma concentration of corticosteroids, failed to significantly alter the number of ewes expressing estrous behavior, although the expression of estrus was blocked in three of the nine treated animals. These nine animals all expressed estrus during the nonstress phase. In contrast to isolation stress, 8 h of transportation not only increased the average plasma concentration of corticosteroids, but also significantly (P less than .05) blocked the expression of estrus in five of eight ewes and delayed the expression of estrus in one other. During the nonstressed control phase, all eight expressed estrus. These findings indicate that management-related stress can block estrogen from inducing estrous behavior, however, the role of the adrenal axis response to stress in blocking estrus remains to be clarified.

Animal-to-human bites can often lead to medical complications. Surveillance is essential in helping to identify, manage, and reduce these highly preventable injuries and direct public health actions and policies on animal bite risk and prevention.

Changes in the global trade market have led to a thriving international pet trade in exotic animals, birds, and puppies. The flood of animals crossing the United States' borders satisfies the public demand for these pets but is not without risk. Imported pets may be infected with diseases that put animals or the public at risk. Numerous agencies work together to reduce the risk of animal disease introduction, but regulations may need to be modified to ensure compliance. With more than 280,000 dogs and 183,000 wildlife shipments being imported into the United States each year, veterinarians must remain vigilant so they can recognize potential threats quickly.