Tiki
01-07-2008, 09:05 PM
Georgia Department of Agriculture
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta , GA 30334
www.agr.georgia <http://www.agr.georgia/> . gov
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2007
For information: Arty Schronce, Jackie Sosby or Yao Seidu at (404)
656-3689
Georgia Agriculture Dept. Quarantines
Some Pet Stores Due to Psittacosis
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is quarantining PetSmart stores
in the state and a Superpetz store in Martinez due to psittacosis, a
bird disease that can be transferred to humans, Commissioner of
Agriculture Tommy Irvin announced today.
Psittacosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects parrots,
parakeets and other members of the parrot family. It is treatable but
can be fatal to the birds. Only in rare cases does it infect poultry.
The disease produces flu-like symptoms in humans, but it does not
respond to treatments for the flu. The disease is especially
dangerous to the young, the elderly and people with weakened immune
systems such as persons with chronic disease, AIDS or HIV infection or
those taking chemotherapy for cancer.
"We have had two confirmed cases of psittacosis at PetSmart stores in
Hiram and Woodstock . There have also been confirmed cases at the
dealer, Preferred Birds of Milton, Florida, that supplied birds to all
the stores we are quarantining," said Commissioner Irvin.
"PetSmart had already begun a quarantine, but the quarantine did not
meet all state requirements. We are requiring PetSmart and Superpetz
to move the birds away from the public and to begin using medicated
feed to treat the birds. The quarantine will last 45 days or until
released by our State Veterinarian," said Commissioner Irvin.
The quarantine applies only to birds sold at the stores, not to other
animals.
If you purchased a bird from PetSmart or the Martinez Superpetz and
have concerns about its health, please contact your veterinarian, or
if you have concerns about your health, contact your health care
provider or local health department.
Tommy Irvin, Commissioner
19 Martin Luther King Jr. Dr. SW
Atlanta , GA 30334
www.agr.georgia <http://www.agr.georgia/> . gov
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 28, 2007
For information: Arty Schronce, Jackie Sosby or Yao Seidu at (404)
656-3689
Georgia Agriculture Dept. Quarantines
Some Pet Stores Due to Psittacosis
The Georgia Department of Agriculture is quarantining PetSmart stores
in the state and a Superpetz store in Martinez due to psittacosis, a
bird disease that can be transferred to humans, Commissioner of
Agriculture Tommy Irvin announced today.
Psittacosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects parrots,
parakeets and other members of the parrot family. It is treatable but
can be fatal to the birds. Only in rare cases does it infect poultry.
The disease produces flu-like symptoms in humans, but it does not
respond to treatments for the flu. The disease is especially
dangerous to the young, the elderly and people with weakened immune
systems such as persons with chronic disease, AIDS or HIV infection or
those taking chemotherapy for cancer.
"We have had two confirmed cases of psittacosis at PetSmart stores in
Hiram and Woodstock . There have also been confirmed cases at the
dealer, Preferred Birds of Milton, Florida, that supplied birds to all
the stores we are quarantining," said Commissioner Irvin.
"PetSmart had already begun a quarantine, but the quarantine did not
meet all state requirements. We are requiring PetSmart and Superpetz
to move the birds away from the public and to begin using medicated
feed to treat the birds. The quarantine will last 45 days or until
released by our State Veterinarian," said Commissioner Irvin.
The quarantine applies only to birds sold at the stores, not to other
animals.
If you purchased a bird from PetSmart or the Martinez Superpetz and
have concerns about its health, please contact your veterinarian, or
if you have concerns about your health, contact your health care
provider or local health department.