Psittacosis is an uncommon infectious disease that is most often transmitted to humans through exposure to infected birds, especially parrots, cockatiels, parakeets and similar pet birds. Psittacosis can affect the lungs and may cause inflammatory illness of the lungs (pneumonia). Additional common symptoms include fever, muscle pain (myalgia), headaches, and a dry cough. Psittacosis is caused by infection with the bacterium, Chlamydia psittaci, and may also be known as ornithosis. It is rare among humans. People who own birds as pets are most likely to be affected by psittacosis.
Prior to the October 2013 eruption, the last notable eruption from Mount Etna was in 1992. In total, there are about 3 active volcanoes in Italy that spew lava intermittently: The Vesuvius volcano close to Naples, Stromboli and Mount Etna in Sicily.
Lava flows from the Mount Etna volcano on the southern Italian island of Sicily near Catania on November 17, 2013. Mount Etna is one of the most active volcanoes in the world and is in an almost constant state of activity. (DARIO AZZARO/AFP/Getty Images) Mount Sinabung spews pyroclastic smoke as seen from Berastagi village in Karo district on November 14, 2013 in Medan, Sumatra, Indonesia.