Psittacosis is caused by which organism and transmitted from birds to humans?

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Psittacosis is a zoonotic illness caused by Chlamydia psittaci, an organism that infects birds and can be transmitted to humans when people inhale aerosols from infected birds’ droppings, secretions, or dust from contaminated materials. This inhalation route from birds to humans explains why exposure to birds—such as in pet shops, aviaries, or handling wild or domestic birds—puts people at risk. The other organisms listed do not cause psittacosis; they’re associated with different infections (gastrointestinal illness or other types of infections), whereas psittacosis specifically points to Chlamydia psittaci as the etiologic agent.