Health officials in Hyderabad urged public to avoid pigeon feeding

Health officials in Hyderabad have urged the public to avoid contact with pigeons amid growing health hazards that could be caused by the bird.

The advisory comes after activists in the city raised concerns over pigeon menace at public places including railway stations, metro stations, parks etc. Scientific research papers suggest that pigeons are carriers of zootonic diseases (which are transmitted to human beings).

Zootonic diseases include illnesses associated with bacteria,



viruses, endo and ectoparasites, fungi and protozoa. Many of these diseases can lead to debilitating and life-threatening ailments. Such diseases are either airborne or transmitted through alimentary routes.

According to report by Innolytics, a US based company which focuses on birth control for birds, pigeons can cause disease which are transmitted in a specific set of conditions.  “Immune compromised patients, children, and the elderly are at more risk than a normal healthy person,” the report said.