Has human-to-human transmission of psittacosis occurred?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Unknown
• D. Not reported to occur

Answer: (A)

Psittacosis is primarily a zoonotic disease acquired from infected birds, typically through inhalation of aerosols from dried bird droppings, feathers, or secretions. However, there are documented instances where transmission occurred from one person to another, usually in close-contact situations or healthcare settings where respiratory droplets or aerosols can spread between people. These human-to-human transmissions are rare, but they do exist, so the statement that human-to-human transmission has occurred is true. The main emphasis for control remains preventing bird-to-human exposure and applying appropriate infection control if a human case leads to secondary cases; nonetheless, one cannot rule out rare person-to-person spread.