Karachi: A dangerous bounce in cases of a rare lung conditions associated with pigeons, known as the Bird Fansier’s Lung (BFL), is said to be in Karachi, most affected with women and elderly individuals.
The disease, a form of hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP), is caused by frequent contact for air particles from pigeon wings and drops.
Respiratory specialist Dr. Muhammad Irfan told Live news That 15 to 25 cases are now being reported weekly, just one or two per week.
He said that most patients are unaware that they are being exposed indoors, especially through unnatural air conditioners and open windows.
Bird feeding sites have spread throughout the city, which expose the residents and carers for allergies to the ongoing wings and dried droplets. These particles, only 1-3 microns in diameter, travel in homes and lodge deep into the lungs, triggering severe allergic reactions.
The disease begins with symptoms such as persistent cough, shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue, often wrong for diligence or a minor disease.
If left untreated, it can progress for irreversible lung marks (interleral lung disease or ild) and, in severe cases, oxygen therapy or lung transplantation may be required.
Currently, lung implants are not available in Pakistan. Patients should travel abroad to India, China or UAE.
While the condition is curable in the initial stages, it is important to avoid exposure. Dr. Irfan strongly recommend the use of masks and gloves while handling birds, avoiding dry sweeping of cages or lofns and serving filters or regular air conditioning systems.
While civil hospital officials confirm that many cases of respiratory crisis are reported daily, they mentioned the lack of disease-specific classification.
Due to the severity of the disease, several countries including Australia and Switzerland have banned feeding pigeons at urban places.
Even during the previous outbreak of the famous pigeon dining site Kovid -19 and Mars near the holy Kaaba in Mecca, due to public health concerns.
The government and public health bodies are being urged to launch an awareness campaign and regulate public birds and regions to curb the spread of this lowly life-drug deeds yet.
