Abstract:
Psittacosis has been found in fancy domestic pigeons in South
Africa. This is the first record of the disease here, and probably the
first of its presence in pigeons. The diagnosis was confirmed by
mouse inoculation. The virus seems to resemble most Australian
strains, in that it is not highly virulent for mice.
Some of the pigeons were also suffering from S. typhimurium,
H. columbae and T. hepatica infections.
Psittacosis apparently has not occurred in the owner of the
pigeons, or in his family and servants. Seven students and laboratory
workers remained healthy, although exposed for about two hours to
the infection while the first birds were being autopsied.
