Psittacosis, an emerging professional disease?

Psittacosis is an anthropozoonose transmitted from birds to humans Through inhalation of Chlamydia psittaci. Following the first outbreak identified in France in a poultry abattoir in Bretagne (1997) a study was carried out to determine if psittacosis is an emerging occupational disease in France. Data on poultry farms and abattoirs, data on psittacosis in birds and humans were collected. French western regions (Bretagne and Pays de Loire) concentrate most of the poultry farms and abattoirs. The animal disease is not notifiable. In humans, psittacosis is an occupational disease. At Cholet Hospital (Maine et Loire), 42 human cases were identified from 1993 to 1998 (83 % in poultry workers). Three laboratories in the western regions identified 24 cases of psittacosis from 1996 to 1998. Three outbreaks occurred (1990-97-98), all in poultry abattoirs in the 2 western regions. The number of workers exposed is difficult to estimate. Only few cases were identified through the occupational disease systems. There is a geographical superposition of areas of poultry high density, occupational psittacosis cases and the 3 outbreaks. These results indicate that psittacosis should be considered as an emerging occupational disease in Bretagne and Pays de Loire. Health professionals, poultry farms and abattoirs workers should be informed on the risk. Population at risk should be identified and measures to improve working conditions should be implemented. (C) 2001 Editions scientifiques et medicales Elsevier SAS.