Hyderabad: Pigeons, which are a symbol of peace, love, kindness, and patience, are now spreading viral and harmful diseases to people, as revealed in a latest survey by medical professionals.

As per a report pigeon's count in greater Hyderabad has reached 6 lakhs and if the number of pigeons increases further, Hyderabad people are at a high risk and might suffer from a variety of diseases related to respiratory systems, and can even face problems related to skin, mouth and lungs.

US World Health Organisation's recent study warned that there are serious health problems with pigeon droppings. Infections and viruses spread from pigeon droppings can cause a variety of diseases like:

E. Coli: This disease occurs when humans consume food or water contaminated by pigeon droppings.

St. Louis Encephalitis: Humans are affected by this disease when a mosquito bites them after it feeds on a pigeon's dropping. This disease can have the worst effects on the human nervous system and the persons affected by this disease will have symptoms like drowsiness, headache, and fever.

Histoplasmosis: It is a lung disease that is caused by inhaling air, which is contaminated by the pigeon's droppings. This fungus, which is spread in the air after pigeon droppings are dried.

Dr. Vasudeva Rao a professor in the Ornithology Department at Prof Jayasankar Agricultural University said that these types of cases have drastically increased in Hyderabad hospitals. However, people are yet to know the reason behind this. He added that pigeons in the Hyderabad city would cross 10 lakhs in the next two to three years.

Delhi medical professionals team found out that pigeons droppings is one of the reasons for people suffering from respiratory infections and getting hospitalised where their numbers are more.

Two years ago there were 490 public feeding places for pigeons in Hyderabad city, but now the number has increased to 560, which is one of the main reasons behind the increased number of pigeons in Hyderabad.

Huge apartments and gated community builders are setting up feeding places for pigeons. Many people are feeding pigeons in these places and are encouraging others to do the same in the name of helping birds.

Surveys reveal that pigeons droppings, which is dried up, and mixes with the air and breathing this contaminated air can cause severe respiratory problems in human beings, if we neglect the consequences it will gradually turn into drowsiness, headaches, paralysis, and eventually death.

Several developed cities like London, Singapore have imposed restrictions over pigeons feeding to control the pigeon's count and trying to bring awareness in the people over the health diseases caused by pigeons.

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