OSHA Hazard Information Bulletins
August 8, 1994
| MEMORANDUM FOR: |
REGIONAL ADMINISTRATORS |
| FROM: |
CHARLES E. ADKINS, CIH
Acting Director
Directorate of Technical Support |
| SUBJECT: |
Hazard Information Bulletin on Contracting
Occupationally Related Psittacosis(1) |
___________
FOOTNOTE(1) The Directorate of Technical Support issues Hazard
Information Bulletins (HIB) in accordance with OSHA Instruction CPL 2.65
to provide relevant information regarding unrecognized or misunderstood
health hazards, inadequacies of materials, devices, techniques, and safety
engineering controls. HIBs are initiated based on information provided by
the field staff, studies, reports and concerns expressed by safety and health
professionals, employers, and the public. Bulletins are developed based on a
thorough evaluation of available facts, and in coordination with appropriate
parties.
The Directorate of Compliance Programs informed us that a number of
inquiries were received concerning the hazard of psittacosis. This bulletin
provides information concerning the hazard of occupational exposure to
psittacosis that may be found in pet shops, quarantine facilities, and the
poultry processing industry.
Psittacosis is caused by a bacterium, Chlamydia psittaci, which is
transmitted to humans from birds. "Psittacine" birds, like parrots and
parakeets, are classically responsible, although pigeons, chickens, and
turkeys may carry the disease as well. An infected bird may appear to have
red, watery eyes, nasal discharge, diarrhea, and a poor appetite. After a
bird recovers from infection, the bacteria may remain in its blood, feathers,
and droppings for many weeks.
Humans may acquire psittacosis by inhaling infected particles from bird
droppings. Symptoms begin one to three weeks after exposure, and usually
include headache, fever, and cough. A "flu-like" syndrome of
nausea/vomiting, joint aches, and muscle aches is also common. Severe
infection may develop into pneumonia that requires hospitalization.
Psittacosis is treated with common antibiotics (doxycycline or erythromycin),
though recovery may take several weeks. Sustained immunity to infection does
not develop; some people have been reported to get the disease more than once.
Less than 1% of all cases are fatal.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) regulations require that imported
psittacine birds be quarantined for 30 days. The birds may be fed
chlortetracycline to prevent transmission of the disease to birds and to
humans in quarantine stations. The bacteria, however, continue to be found
in released birds. Additionally, workers handle many birds which are not
imported, rather they are bred in this country and, therefore, are not
subject to the USDA's medication requirements.
OSHA does not have a standard specific to the hazard of psittacosis.
However, a number of OSHA standards and good industrial hygiene practices
apply. Precautions to protect workers from contracting this disease through
inhalation include at minimum the following:
* Providing respiratory protection suitable for the purpose intended (HEPA filter) and establishing a respirator program.
* Assuring adequate ventilation in the work area.
* Establishing a psittacosis training and prevention program which includes:
* A description of the signs and the symptoms associated with the psittacosis disease;
* Instructions on how to recognize psittacosis in affected avian species; and
* Good housekeeping and work practices procedures.
* Instructing workers to immediately report to the employer any indications that a bird may be infected.
* Instructing workers to immediately report to the employer the development of any adverse signs and symptoms consistent with psittacosis.
In addition to the above minimum precautions, confirmed work related cases
of psittacosis must be recorded in the OSHA-200 log, and reported to State
health departments and the National Center for Disease Control and
Prevention.
Please distribute this bulletin to all Area Offices, State Plan States,
Consultation Project Managers and appropriate labor and trade associations.
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