Pigeon Droppings Causes Lung Failure in Two Mumbai Women: From E.Coli to Cryptococcosis, 6 Diseases and Infections Linked With the Bird's Poop

People with breathing ailments know how difficult winter gets, especially with the air pollutants like fungus from walls, air-conditioner ducts or even the vehicular emissions. However, pigeon droppings is one of the most dangerous cause for concern for lung health. Pigeon droppings are being blamed for causing lung failure in two women. One of the two is a 38-year-old from Borivali and 68-year-old from Breach Candy is the other patient who underwent a lung transplant recently. "These women suffered from a condition called chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, or environment-related lung fibrosis, for years", said pulmonologist Unmil Shah to TOI. Both the patients have earlier reported having pigeon droppings in their vicinity.

Dangerous Health Effects of Pigeon Droppings

Pigeons are known to carry a number of diseases and infections. One can contract parasites from the bird's droppings and a pigeon infestation must be immediately removed. Wherever pigeons make a home, they tend to dirty it very soon with their droppings and the large mess of their own poop carry a number of germs that can be very dangerous for human. Right from breathing dust to water droplets containing contaminated pigeons droppings, it can cause several diseases, including psittacosis. Here are some of the health conditions that are linked with pigeon droppings.

Histoplasmosis

A type of lung infection, histoplasmosis can be caused by inhaling Histoplasma capsulatum fungal spores that can grow on the soil that contains pigeon poop.

Candidiasis

This fungal infection one can contract from pigeons is caused by over 20 species of a yeast known as Candida. When Candida affects the mouth, it is called thrush.

Cryptococcosis

Another fungal infection carried by pigeons may be rare but it can be very dangerous. However, it is said to affect immunocompromised persons, primarily.

Encephalitis

While one doesn't contract Encephalitis directly by Pigeon droppings, it is said to be an indirect risk factor that may be caused by pigeons.

Salmonellosis

Salmonella bacteria is known to be extremely dangerous once it enters the human system. The fatal infection can spread it through pigeon droppings or the dust from the droppings of the bird.

E.Coli

Also known as, Escherichia coli, the bacteria is known to live in the intestines animals and even birds like pigeons. The poop of the bird can infect humans. E.Coli Sickens Over 100 People Who Consumed Contaminated Romaine Lettuce from Salinas, California. 

According to veterinary microbiologists from Karnataka Veterinary, Animal and Fisheries University (KVAFSU), "the numerous pathogens in the bird droppings can cause as many as 60 different types of diseases", as reported by Bangalore Mirror.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 19, 2020 11:20 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).