Latest news with #Histoplasmosis
News18
4 days ago
- Health
- News18
Can Feeding Pigeons Regularly Harm Your Lungs? Tips To Protect Yourself
Last Updated: Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital has found a strong link between prolonged exposure to pigeons and serious lung diseases. If there is one bird that has dominated the urban landscape in recent years, it's pigeons. City squares, roadside patches, and community spaces have transformed into pigeon feeding grounds, leading to a population explosion. While feeding these birds is seen as an act of compassion, many people are unaware that pigeons pose serious health risks. Pigeons leave behind a trail of feathers and droppings, which causes real harm. These can carry fungal, bacterial, and parasitic infections, which may trigger allergic reactions, and even lead to serious lung diseases. According to research by Delhi's Sir Ganga Ram Hospital, prolonged exposure to pigeons can have severe health consequences. Studies have also linked frequent feeding and proximity to these birds to increased health risks. Health Risks Of Pigeon Feeding Pigeon droppings may appear innocuous, but they can harbour harmful fungi like Aspergillus. When inhaled, these fungi can cause Histoplasmosis, leading to serious lung conditions such as Bird Breeder's Lung (Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis). This may trigger an immune response, causing inflammation in the lungs' interstitium, which is crucial for oxygen exchange. If left untreated or diagnosed late, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis can progress to irreversible lung fibrosis, severely impairing respiratory function. However, early detection within six weeks of symptom onset can often reverse the condition with treatment. It's essential to be aware of the risks associated with pigeon droppings to prevent long-term damage. How To Protect Yourself? You can also follow these steps to eliminate potential risks. Use Deterrents Like Tape: Spike strips, reflective tape, or ultrasonic repellents can prevent pigeons from roosting. Disinfect Regularly: Clean surfaces with bleach or strong disinfectants to eliminate pigeon droppings and bacteria. Check Hidden Areas: Check building ducts, water tanks, and other hidden spots for pigeon nests and seal any openings. First Published: June 06, 2025, 10:24 IST
USA Today
22-05-2025
- Health
- USA Today
A family visited a bat cave in Costa Rica. They were then infected with a fungal disease.
A family visited a bat cave in Costa Rica. They were then infected with a fungal disease. Show Caption Hide Caption Zoonotic diseases, like monkeypox and COVID-19, are on the rise From monkeypox to COVID-19, zoonotic disease outbreaks are on the rise. Here's how viruses spread from animals to humans. Just the FAQs, USA TODAY A bat cave in Costa Rica is likely the reason a family caught a fungal lung disease known as histoplasmosis. In December of last year, a family of 13 visited Arenal and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, according to the CDC. While there, 12 of the 13 people on the trip visited the Venado Caves, a popular tourist attraction in the Alajuela Province of San Carlos, Costa Rica, according to a report published by the CDC. Each person who visited the cave "became mildly or moderately ill" with the fungal lung infection when they returned to the U.S. to their homes in Georgia, Texas, and Washington. The CDC, along with the Georgia Department of Public Health, Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Washington State Department of Health, launched a multi-state investigation in January into the cases after a physician in Georgia notified the CDC of suspected cases of histoplasmosis. All of the family members reported seeing bats and stated that they had touched bat droppings while crawling through the cave and "squeezing through tight spaces." Raccoons, foxes, bats ... oh my! Know the animals most prone to rabies and protect yourself. What is histoplasmosis? Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease commonly linked to bats and bird droppings, according to the Mayo Clinic. "The fungus is commonly found growing in damp soil that's rich in organic material," like droppings from the animals mentioned above. It is also commonly found in the following places, according to the Mayo Clinic: Chicken and pigeon coops Old barns Caves Parks How does histoplasmosis spread? People become infected with the fungal disease when they breathe in the spores of the fungus Histoplasma after the soil in which it resides is disturbed, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. People are just as likely to contract it from bat droppings as they are from bird droppings. The fungal disease does not spread from person to person, according to the CDC. What are the symptoms of histoplasmosis? Usually, when people breathe in the spores, they do not get sick, according to the CDC. But those who do have it can face mild to life-threatening symptoms of pneumonia. The fungal infection is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late because it can be mistaken for common pneumonia caused by bacteria and viruses. People infected with Histoplasmosis can feel the following, according to the CDC: Fever Cough Extreme tiredness Chills Headache Chest pain People with weakened immune systems could also develop a long-term lung infection, which, on rare cases, could spread to the brain and spinal cord. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
A family visited a bat cave in Costa Rica. They were then infected with a fungal disease.
A bat cave in Costa Rica is likely the reason a family caught a fungal lung disease known as histoplasmosis. In December, a family of 13 visited Arenal and Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica, according to the CDC. While there, 12 of the 13 people on the trip visited the Venado Caves, a popular tourist attraction in the Alajuela Province of San Carlos, Costa Rica, according to a report published by the CDC. Each person who visited the cave "became mildly or moderately ill" with the fungal lung infection when they returned to the U.S. to their homes in Georgia, Texas, and Washington. The CDC, along with the Georgia Department of Public Health, Texas Department of State Health Services, and the Washington State Department of Health, launched a multi-state investigation in January into the cases after a physician in Georgia notified the CDC of suspected cases of histoplasmosis. All of the family members reported seeing bats and stated that they had touched bat droppings while crawling through the cave and "squeezing through tight spaces." Raccoons, foxes, bats ... oh my! Know the animals most prone to rabies and protect yourself. Histoplasmosis is a fungal disease commonly linked to bats and bird droppings, according to the Mayo Clinic. "The fungus is commonly found growing in damp soil that's rich in organic material," like droppings from the animals mentioned above. It is also commonly found in the following places, according to the Mayo Clinic: Chicken and pigeon coops Old barns Caves Parks People become infected with the fungal disease when they breathe in the spores of the fungus Histoplasma after the soil in which it resides is disturbed, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. People are just as likely to contract it from bat droppings as they are from bird droppings. The fungal disease does not spread from person to person, according to the CDC. Usually, when people breathe in the spores, they do not get sick, according to the CDC. But those who do have it can face mild to life-threatening symptoms of pneumonia. The fungal infection is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed late because it can be mistaken for common pneumonia caused by bacteria and viruses. People infected with Histoplasmosis can feel the following, according to the CDC: Fever Cough Extreme tiredness Chills Headache Chest pain People with weakened immune systems could also develop a long-term lung infection, which, on rare cases, could spread to the brain and spinal cord. Julia is a trending reporter for USA TODAY. Connect with her on LinkedIn,X, Instagram and TikTok: @juliamariegz, or email her at jgomez@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Family infected with histoplasmosis after visiting Costa Rica bat cave
Daily Express
28-04-2025
- Health
- Daily Express
Managing Kota Kinabalu's bird population
Published on: Monday, April 28, 2025 Published on: Mon, Apr 28, 2025 By: Jo Ann Mool Text Size: Pigeon droppings could spread diseases such as Histoplasmosis and Salmonellosis, both of which pose serious health risks, particularly in areas with high human traffic. Kota Kinabalu: Kota Kinabalu City Hall on Saturday launched the 'Bandaraya Sihat, KomunitI Sejahtera (Healthy City, Prosperous Community)' campaign in conjunction with World Health Day 2025, with the aim of creating a healthier and more sustainable urban environment through the effective management of the city's bird population. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Sabin Samitah said that the campaign would run for two months, until 25 June 2025, and would focus on raising public awareness of current health issues, disseminating information on bird-borne infectious diseases, and implementing preventive measures to control the bird population, particularly pigeons, crows and the selangkir bird. He said that World Health Day celebrated annually on 7 April, is being marked this year at the city level through the launch of the campaign. The initiative specifically targets the management of urban bird populations in Kota Kinabalu, with a focus on pigeons, crows, and selangkir birds, which rising numbers have created environmental and public health challenges for the city. 'Although wildlife is an integral part of our ecosystem, the increasing population of birds such as crows, pigeons and selangkir in Kota Kinabalu has posed significant challenges for urban management,' he said. 'This campaign represents a crucial effort to manage urban wildlife more effectively and to ensure a cleaner, healthier, and more sustainable city that is welcoming to both residents and visitors,' he said. His speech was delivered by Director-General of the Planning and Development Sector, Lifred Wong. Dr Sabin said the campaign is not merely a local initiative but also forms part of Kota Kinabalu's commitment to supporting the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities), SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-Being), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). It is designed to achieve urban progress without compromising the natural ecosystem, in line with efforts to conserve biodiversity. 'The presence of crows in Kota Kinabalu city is a relatively new phenomenon. City Hall's monitoring has revealed a growing population of crows, particularly in the Central Business District (CBD),' he said. Their increasing numbers not only affect the city's cleanliness but also impact public tranquillity, he added. Dr Sabin also highlighted the risks associated with pigeons, which are commonly found in tourist hotspots, shopping areas, and public spaces. He said that pigeon droppings could spread diseases such as Histoplasmosis and Salmonellosis, both of which pose serious health risks, particularly in areas with high human traffic. 'The selangkir bird, which was once predominantly found at the forest fringes, has also migrated into the city. Although these birds play a role in the ecosystem, their overpopulation within urban areas has led to hygiene problems and increased maintenance costs for city infrastructure,' he said. Dr Sabin said that, over time, such issues could harm the city's economy and damage Kota Kinabalu's reputation as a premier tourist destination. 'Tourists visiting Kota Kinabalu expect a clean and safe environment. The presence of large numbers of birds and the associated cleanliness problems could tarnish their experience and have negative consequences on the city's image,' he added. To address the challenges, City Hall will implement several measures throughout the campaign. The City Hall advised public members to prioritise cleanliness by ensuring that food waste and rubbish are disposed of promptly, thus removing potential food sources for birds. They are also encouraged not to feed pigeons in public areas to prevent attracting larger flocks. Building owners are advised to seal any openings and install bird deterrents, such as bird spikes, to prevent birds from nesting or roosting on structures. In addition to these public advisories, City Hall will strengthen public hygiene practices through regular sweeping and washing activities in the Central Business District (CBD) to minimise the health risks posed by bird droppings. Public awareness will be boosted through the distribution of health brochures and the installation of signboards prohibiting the feeding of pigeons at strategic locations across the city. City Hall will also carry out monitoring and enforcement activities, including issuing warnings and compounds to individuals caught feeding birds in public spaces. Bird population control efforts such as bird capture operations, nest removal activities (Ops Nyah Sarang), and tree pruning operations (Ops Pangkas) will be conducted to manage areas heavily populated by birds. Dr Sabin said that the success of the campaign relies heavily on smart collaboration between City Hall, the private sector, and the community, in line with the principles of the Local Agenda 21 programme. 'We all have a role to play in ensuring that our city remains balanced, where development and the preservation of nature go hand in hand, safeguarding a healthy and sustainable living environment for everyone,' he said. Dr Sabin thanked all parties involved in the campaign, particularly the Kota Kinabalu Area Health Office, Sabah Wildlife Department, Sabah Veterinary Services Department, Sabah Environmental Protection Department, Sabah Tourism Board, representatives from the Chambers of Commerce and Industry, restaurant and coffee shop associations, and participants from both public and private institutions of higher education. 'Let us join forces to build a city that is healthy, environmentally friendly, safe, and appealing for visitors. With the cooperation of all parties, I am confident that we can create a brighter future for the generations to come,' Dr Sabin said. About 350 people attended the event on Saturday. Also present were Robert Lipon Deputy Director-General (Operations) of City Hall and Chairman of the Organising Committee; Dr Noraziah Bakri Kota Kinabalu Area Health Officer and others. * Follow us on Instagram and join our Telegram and/or WhatsApp channel(s) for the latest news you don't want to miss. * Do you have access to the Daily Express e-paper and online exclusive news? Check out subscription plans available. Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express's Telegram channel. Daily Express Malaysia
