At least five people have died across Europe so far this year in a terrifying outbreak of wheezing – a bacterial respiratory infectionbetter known as “parrot fever”.
Four people have died in Denmark, while one has died in the Netherlands and dozens more have been treated in hospitals in Austria, Germany and Sweden, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The disease is carried by birds and is generally transmitted through contact with infected animals or inhalation of particles from their feathers or dried droppings.
Pet owners, poultry workers, the gardeners and the veterinarians are usually at a higher risk of contracting parrot fever than most people.
The symptoms they are usually mild and include fever, aches and cough. In extreme cases, the disease can develop into pneumonia.
About one in 100 patients die, according to the WHO.
Across Europe, the number of cases in recent months has been significantly higher than typical annual averages.
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