Source: Tom Johnston, MEATINGPLACE, 9/21/18



Virginia health officials are investigating an outbreak of a rare infectious disease more commonly associated with pet birds that has sickened chicken plant workers, according to a report by Fox News.

Fifty employees at New Market Poultry have been sickened with Psittacosis, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says is “caused by infection of the respiratory tract (throat, windpipe, and lungs) with Chlamydia psittaci” and most commonly infects people who care for or clean up after infected birds.

Fox News cites WHSV-News in quoting Laura Kornegay, health director for the Central Shenandoah Health District, as saying “this bacteria is quite unusual for commercial poultry to be a source of the infection." Kornegay also noted in the report that the bacteria is more often associated with pet birds such as parakeets. 

The disease first sickened the workers in late August, Brad Respess, president and CEO of New Market Poultry’s owner Tip Top Poultry, was quoted as saying. He said the company is working with the Virginia Department of Health, USDA and other health agencies to investigate the issue.

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