A MUM says she was left fighting for life after contracting parrot fever from her nephew’s pet bird.
Shaharazaad Gafoor allegedly spent nine days in hospital with psittacosis – a flu-like infection that can trigger life-threatening pneumonia.
It is caused by the bacterium C. psittaci and is most common in parrots, parakeets, budgerigars, cockatiels, pigeons and doves.
But it can spread to humans and result in a fever, headache, chills, muscle pains, breathing difficulties and pneumonia, which can be fatal.
The 49-year-old is sharing her harrowing ordeal as a warning to others not to get “too close” to their animals.
Shaharazaad said: “The allure of a cute and cuddly companion shouldn’t overshadow the risks they may carry.
“Look at me and ask yourself – is it worth kissing your animal?”
The parent says she has always loved birds and shared a “strong connection” with her own parrot – Jack, six.
But shortly after Frank, an eight-year-old cockatoo, entered her life, her future was reportedly left hanging in the balance.
Shaharazaad quickly realised something was terribly wrong with the creature when he began losing feathers and displaying signs of lethargy.
She initially put it down to him being in a new environment.
However, Shaharazaad’s own health soon started to decline and within days she was “admitted into hospital with psittacosis”.
“It’s also known as ‘parrot fever’ and it’s not something to joke about,” the former disability support worker said.
“I wasn’t sure if I would survive the night – I felt like death.
“The whole ordeal turned my whole life upside down in an instant and I struggled to breathe.
“I constantly felt like I was overheating, and couldn’t shake the excruciating muscle pain.
“I couldn’t believe that the animals I had loved so much had almost caused my life to be over.”
While Shaharazaad was battling for her own survival, Jack also fell victim and was rushed to the vet.
He was believed to only have a short time left, but he survived for longer than expected, it is said.
After nine days of “intense treatment”, Shaharazaad returned home – though not unscathed.
I live in fear each day that the bacteria will resurface again.
Shaharazaad Gafoor
“My lungs are permanently scarred and I live in fear each day that the bacteria will resurface again,” she said.
“I know birds can get sick after being purchased, but I think more checks need to be done at the pet shop before selling these animals.
“I’m worried about how many other owners will have to go through this.
“I didn’t know the bird had this bacteria lurking, no one would know, until it’s too late.
“I hope this serves as a wake-up call to everyone to practice good hygiene and wash your hands immediately after handling any birds – don’t kiss them or hug them. It could be fatal.”
Shaharazaad, from South Africa, has now sworn off pet birds for life.
“My life will never be the same and I can no longer look at birds in the way I did before,” she said.
“It’s put me off them for good.
“The financial toll of having time off work and the lingering health effects serve as a reminder of what a seemingly harmless infection can do.”
Since September, 25 cases of parrot fever have been reported in Sweden, with 12 in December alone.
Experts now fear there could be a wider outbreak of the disease.
Speaking to The Telegraph, Professor Paul Hunter, from the University of East Anglia, said: “Human to human transmission may be more common than previously thought.”
Psittacosis poses a significant risk to unborn children, with an 80 per cent risk in foetal mortality and an eight per cent risk in maternal mortality.
It also leads to the death of 90 per cent of infected young birds.
The disease primarily jumps from birds to humans via airborne particles from infected bird poo.
Out of 45 cases recorded in Sweden earlier this year, 28 were reportedly caused by the handling of poultry, caged birds, or bird feeders, according to public health officials.
The UK already sees between 25 and 50 confirmed cases in England and Wales every year.
A paper, published in the Lancet, described the disease “an emerging public health risk to medical workers and other close contacts”.
The most common symptoms in humans tend to be flu-like, including:
- A headache
- Fever and chills
- Muscle aches and pains
- A cough (usually dry)
- Breathing difficulties
People tend to be ill for between one and four weeks, according to government guidance and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Sarah Carter is a health and wellness expert residing in the UK. With a background in healthcare, she offers evidence-based advice on fitness, nutrition, and mental well-being, promoting healthier living for readers.
