SESKStuff Everyone Should Know
SESK: Stuff Everyone Should Know · sesk.info/bird-psittacosis-transmission

How do people most often catch psittacosis from birds?

By breathing in dust from dried droppings or secretions.

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  1. Eating undercooked eggs
  2. Touching one feather
  3. Breathing dust from dried droppings ✔

Why: When bird droppings and secretions dry, tiny dust particles carrying the bacteria get into the air. Breathing in that dust is the most common way people get infected.

Huh, didn't know that: CDC says to avoid dry sweeping or vacuuming bird mess, which puts dust in the air.

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References

Answer: Breathing dust from dried droppings. When bird droppings and secretions dry, tiny dust particles carrying the bacteria get into the air. Breathing in that dust is the most common way people get infected.

  1. About Psittacosis (CDC) www.cdc.gov/psittacosis/about/index.html
    The most common way someone gets infected is by breathing in dust containing dried bird secretions or droppings.
    Checked 2026-10-11.
  2. Preventing Psittacosis (CDC) www.cdc.gov/psittacosis/prevention/index.html
    Avoid dry sweeping or vacuuming, which can put dust in the air.
    Checked 2026-10-11.

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