I recieved this email from Bobbi Brinker this morning. It mainly applies to Georgia residents, but Florida bird owners are being warned as well:

GA Agriculture Dept. quarantines some pet stores due to Psittacosis. The Georgia Department of Agriculture is quarantining all PetSmart stores inthe state and a Superpetz store in Martinez due to psittacosis, a bird disease that can be transferred to humans, Commissioner of Agriculture TommyIrvin announced today. Psittacosis is a bacterial disease that primarily affects parrots, parakeetsand other members of the parrot family. It is treatable but can be fatal tothe birds. Only in rare cases does it infect poultry. The disease producesflu-like symptoms in humans, but itdoes not respond to treatments for the flu. The disease is especiallydangerous to the young, the elderly and people with weakened immune systemssuch as persons with chronic disease, AIDS or HIV infection or those takingchemotherapy for cancer. "We have had two confirmed cases of psittacosis at PetSmart stores in Hiramand Woodstock. There have also been confirmed cases at the dealer, PreferredBirds of Milton, Florida, that supplied birds to all the stores we arequarantining. "PetSmart had already begun a quarantine, but the quarantine did not meetall state requirements. We are requiring PetSmart and Superpetz to move thebirds away from the public and to begin using medicated feed to treat thebirds. The quarantine will last 45 days or until released by our StateVeterinarian, released by our State Veterinarian. The quarantine applies only to birds sold at the stores, not to otheranimals. If you purchased a bird from PetSmart or the Martinez Superpetz andhave concerns about its health, please contact your veterinarian, or if youhave concerns about your health, contact your health care provider or localhealth department

How sad . I think we should be cautious everywhere as these things spread so quickly.

So true. My grandparents that have lovies are in Woodstock where it was detected. It makes me nervous to go in there b/c who knows? I don't want to start bashing petstores, but more give everyone a warning.