The outbreak of parrot fever, also known as Psittacosis, is impacting several countries in Europe, leading to five reported deaths attributed to the disease. The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued warnings urging people to remain vigilant regarding parrot fever.

The severe effects of parrot fever on residents of European countries are evident, with the disease causing havoc since early 2023 and claiming five lives in early 2024. In Austria, 14 cases of parrot fever were reported last year, and four additional cases have recently emerged. As of February 27, the WHO has confirmed 23 cases of the epidemic in Denmark.

The disease was initially identified in a person in Denmark, with five cases already reported in Germany this year. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that individuals in close contact with domestic animals or wild birds are most susceptible to the disease, according to the World Health Organization. Parrot fever, caused by chlamydia infection, is prevalent in various wild animals, domesticated birds, and chickens. Infected birds may not display visible signs of illness, yet they release bacteria through breathing or defecation, contributing to the spread of the disease. Europe, the second smallest continent globally, is home to up to 50 sovereign countries.