Fatal Chlamydia avium Infection in Captive Picazuro Pigeons, the Netherlands

In 2016, an outbreak of Chlamydia avium infection occurred among Picazuro pigeons (Patagioenas picazuro) living in an aviary in the Netherlands. Molecular typing revealed a unique strain of C. avium. Our findings show that C. avium infection, which usually causes subclinical infection, can cause fatal disease in pigeons.