Pigeon-feeding is causing lung disease among Indians
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
11 Sept 2024
The pigeon menace in cities across India has led to a steady rise in a variety of lung diseases, including Bird Breeder’s Lung. Lata Mishra speaks to Dr Sujeet Rajan, consultant respiratory physician, Interstitial Lung Diseases, at Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, about the problem
Bird Breeder’s Lung or Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is the commonest form of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in India.
The Indian ILD registry documents that close to 50% of ILD patients have HP, the typical symptoms of which are cough and breathlessness on exertion. It’s increasing in cities like Mumbai owing to exposure to pigeon droppings and pigeon feeding, apart from overcrowding, construction work, and damp walls at home. Years ago, we had a high court order asking a pigeon feeding area near Chowpatty to be shut down. Yet, it continues in pockets.
There needs to be more awareness.
If diagnosed within six weeks, HP is reversible. But in most cases, patients approach us very late, when the damage has already progressed to the irreversible stage of lung fibrosis.
timesofindia.indiatimes.com
11 Sept 2024
The pigeon menace in cities across India has led to a steady rise in a variety of lung diseases, including Bird Breeder’s Lung. Lata Mishra speaks to Dr Sujeet Rajan, consultant respiratory physician, Interstitial Lung Diseases, at Bombay Hospital Institute of Medical Sciences, about the problem
What is Bird Breeder’s Lung and how do pigeons lead to rising cases?
Bird Breeder’s Lung or Hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is the commonest form of interstitial lung disease (ILD) in India.
The Indian ILD registry documents that close to 50% of ILD patients have HP, the typical symptoms of which are cough and breathlessness on exertion. It’s increasing in cities like Mumbai owing to exposure to pigeon droppings and pigeon feeding, apart from overcrowding, construction work, and damp walls at home. Years ago, we had a high court order asking a pigeon feeding area near Chowpatty to be shut down. Yet, it continues in pockets.
There needs to be more awareness.
How do pigeon droppings lead to HP?
HP is an immune system disorder caused by inhaled allergens. Pigeon droppings, and dust that rises when the droppings are swept off a surface, is the most common allergen that causes HP. The droppings contain fungi like aspergillus which, when inhaled, can cause Histoplasmosis, which can lead to ILD, more specifically Bird Breeder’s Lung. The droppings trigger the immune system, causing short or long-term inflammation and affecting oxygen flow in a part of the lungs called the interstitium (hence the umbrella term Interstitial Lung Disease).If diagnosed within six weeks, HP is reversible. But in most cases, patients approach us very late, when the damage has already progressed to the irreversible stage of lung fibrosis.
