Zoo Atlanta Closes Exhibit Because of “Parrot Flu”

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Zoo Atlanta has closed one of its exhibits because a bird that died was found to have what’s known as parrot flu.

The scientific name is psittacosis; it is a bacterial infection that can be transmitted to humans. Symptoms in human are usually mild — similar to the flu. Transmission to humans is rare. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported only 66 human cases in five-year period of 2005-2009.