500.33 psittacosis investigations

1. Number: 500.33
SUBJECT: PSITTACOSIS INVESTIGATIONS Page: 1
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 7/6/15
I. PURPOSE
To establish a procedure to detect and eliminate the source and extent of cases of Psittacosis
occurring within Orange County.
II. POLICY
OC Animal Care takes very seriously the duty and obligation to protect the health and safety of
inhabitants of Orange County. Therefore, reports of zoonotic diseases shall be investigated and
preventive measures taken to reduce the possibility of further exposure.
III. SCOPE
Applicable to Veterinary and Field Operations staff or designee
IV. FORMS
Avian Psittacosis Case Report
Notice to Comply (NTC) F272-12.2078.3
Quarantine Notice
V. REFERENCES
California Code of Regulations, Title 17, 2603 – Control of Pet Birds
Compendium of Measures to Control Chlamydophila Psittaci Infection Among Humans
(Psittacosis) and Pet Birds (Avian Chlamydiosis), 2010
VI. DEFINITIONS
Not applicable
VII. PROCEDURE
Initial reports are obtained through Laboratory Veterinary Services, California Department of
Food and Agriculture and other sources. The name of the bird owner (client) or Veterinarian
who will have the name of the client shall be on the initial report.

2. Number: 500.33
SUBJECT: PSITTACOSIS INVESTIGATIONS Page: 2
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 7/6/15
A. Receiving Information
The Field Operations staff or designee shall enter information from the source on the
Avian Psittacosis Case Report (APCR) form.
1. Forward copies of the APCR to the Manager of Field Operations.
2. If a private Veterinarian has submitted the test results to OC Animal Care,
contact the Veterinarian for additional information.
B. Contacting Bird Owner
The Field Operations staff or designee shall contact the client and obtain information on
the source of the bird(s) origin and incidents of recent exposure to other birds within the
past 60 days.
1. Issue copy of Psittacosis Compendium. Discuss quarantine requirements,
antibiotic treatment, and antiseptic cleaning methods as outlined in Compendium.
2. Determine human exposure to infected bird.
a. If exposure exists, inform the client of human symptoms and sanitary
procedures to be followed.
b. If human symptoms exist, advise County of Orange Epidemiology
Department and refer client to seek medical treatment.
c. Blood titers can be tested by County of Orange Epidemiology
Department to determine human infection.
d. Contact OC Animal Care veterinarian for further inter-departmental
follow-up.
3. Issue Notice to Comply (NTC) for bird owner to obtain treatment within 48
hours for the bird as recommended by an experienced avian veterinarian.
Treatment should be supervised by a licensed veterinarian.
4. Impose immediate quarantine which will continue for 60 days from the first day
of treatment. Quarantine Notice is to be conspicuously posted on or near the
front door to notify visitors of the quarantine. Inspect premises as needed to
ensure that quarantine procedures are being implemented.
5. Quarantine may be extended beyond the end of the initial quarantine period
based upon the required retest results and if the retest has been delayed.

3. Number: 500.33
SUBJECT: PSITTACOSIS INVESTIGATIONS Page: 3
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 7/6/15
NOTE: All quarantined birds will require an Animal ID and data entry into the Kennel
window for tracking purposes.
C. Trace Backs
1. If source is pet shop:
Field Operations staff or designee shall inform the OC Animal Care veterinarian
and pet shop management of findings.
a. Impose immediate quarantine by closing the pet shop or having
owner/operator remove all birds from public access and disinfect cages.
The quarantine period shall continue through 60 days from the first day
of treatment. Issue copy of Psittacosis Compendium. Discuss quarantine
requirements, antibiotic treatment, and antiseptic cleaning methods as
outlined in Compendium.
b. Issue 48 hour NTC to pet shop owner/operator to begin medicating
bird(s) as prescribed by a Veterinarian.
c. A Quarantine Notice shall be conspicuously posted on or near the door at
the place of business, officially quarantining the facility.
d. Determine origin of subject bird (dealer or supplier).
e. Quarantine may be extended beyond the end of the initial quarantine
period based upon the required retest results and if the retest has been
delayed.
f. Subsequent cases shall be reported to California Department of Public
Health Services, Center for Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 997377,
Sacramento, CA 95899-7377, and other appropriate offices dealing with
Psittacosis in other counties.
2. If source is a dealer:
Field Operations staff or designee shall contact the dealer or supplier and inform
them of the findings.
a. If the dealer or supplier is within Orange County, repeat the quarantine
procedures as listed in 1. a-f.
b. Continue contacts until trace back leads outside Orange County’s
jurisdiction (notify jurisdictional authority) or point of origin is located.

4. Number: 500.33
SUBJECT: PSITTACOSIS INVESTIGATIONS Page: 4
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 7/6/15
3. Quarantine Release:
Field Operations staff or designee shall conduct a Quarantine Release with
inspection at the end of the final quarantine period.
Complete Avian Psittacosis Case Report and fax to: California Department of
Public Health, Center for Infectious Diseases, P.O. Box 997377, Sacramento,
CA 95899-7377
D. Disease Data Tracking
1. A Chameleon Kennel window will be created for each quarantined bird for
disease tracking purposes and in accordance with the attached example. Each
bird will have its own unique Animal ID.
2. A Chameleon Kennel window will be updated throughout the course of the
Investigation to ensure accuracy and document treatment and quarantine dates.

5. Number: 500.33
SUBJECT: PSITTACOSIS INVESTIGATIONS Page: 5
Date: 8/22/89
Approved: Jennifer Hawkins, D.V.M., Director Revised: 7/6/15