Human psittacosis associated with commercial processing of turkeys
Durfee, P.T.; Pullen, M.M.; Currier RW, I.I.; Parker, R.L.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 167(9): 804-808
1975
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 1184442 Document Number: 85349
Between May and August 1974, 114 of approximately 1000 employees in 7 turkey processing plants in Texas (5), Missouri (1) and Nebraska (1) had an illness resembling psittacosis (fever, severe headache and pneumonia). Treatment with tetracycline was effective in most cases. Psittacosis was confirmed in 41 (36%) of the cases by quadrupling of the complement-fixation titre to Chlamydia group antigen. Investigations implicated several turkey flocks from Texas as the source of the disease. Control measures, including screening turkey flocks before slaughter and assuring treatment of infected birds, were instituted by a special task force of state and federal veterinarians.