Psittacosis is a zoonotic disease caused by Chlamydia psittaci, and currently has a high misdiagnosis rate among sporadic psittacosis patients worldwide. In recent years, increasing evidence indicates that psittacosis can be transmitted between individuals through various pathways, including transmission by asymptomatic carriers and even tertiary human-to-human transmission. Currently, there is insufficient attention to this pathogen both domestically and internationally, and relevant systematic research is rare. This article systematically elaborates on the molecular epidemiology and human-to-human transmission, clinical characteristics, advances in molecular detection technology, treatment, and vaccine development of psittacosis, providing scientific basis for early diagnosis and effective prevention and control.