In Indian cities, pigeons are a familiar presence — nesting in the ledges of apartment complexes, roosting above air conditioning units and flocking around public buildings. But while the birds themselves pose no direct harm, doctors are raising concerns over a less visible but significant health issue: the risks from inhaling particles from dried pigeon droppings.
Medical experts caution that exposure to these droppings, especially in enclosed or unventilated areas, is linked to serious respiratory and fungal illnesses, particularly among immunocompromised individuals and sanitation workers. Crucially, they are calling for better municipal handling of the issue through a One Health approach as urged by the World Health Organization (WHO) that recognises the interconnectedness of human, animal and environmental well-being.
Respiratory damage, fungal and bacterial infections from chronic exposure
“Continuous exposure to pigeon droppings can result in a condition called hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a chronic inflammatory lung disease that may lead to permanent scarring,” explains Aishwarya Rajkumar, senior consultant, pulmonology, Rela Hospital, Chennai. She notes that this is especially dangerous for people with asthma, autoimmune conditions, or those undergoing chemotherapy.
Symptoms may begin with a persistent dry cough, tightness in the chest, or breathlessness, which often worsens at night. “Even a brief exposure, such as cleaning a pigeon-infested space can cause bronchitis-like symptoms, particularly in children with asthma,” she adds.
In addition to lung damage, dried droppings may harbour infectious agents. Rajkumar K., senior consultant, pulmonology at MGM Malar, Chennai, warns of cryptococcal infections — fungal infections that can affect the lungs or brain and chronic hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which can mimic symptoms of tuberculosis or asthma. “These conditions can present with persistent cough, phlegm, fatigue, and desaturation. Pregnant women, the elderly, and those with heart or respiratory conditions are particularly at risk,” he says.
Adding to this, Surendran R., consultant, infectious diseases and hospital infection control, at SIMS Hospital, Chennai, says, “Cryptococcosis, histoplasmosis, and psittacosis are all illnesses linked to pigeon droppings. In some cases, bacteria such as salmonella and E. coli present in the droppings may cause gastrointestinal infections if contamination occurs.”
Who is most at risk?
A study published by the Indian Chest Society notes that bird-related hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) is common, but confirming exposure remains challenging, highlighting the need for larger multicentre studies.
While members of the general public may face a low risk in brief or outdoor contact, experts say the most vulnerable are those who clean affected areas without protection, often workers from marginalised or low-income communities. “People cleaning attics, terraces, and neglected buildings without gloves or masks are at the highest risk,” says Ranganath R., senior consultant pulmonologist at Narayana Health City, Bengaluru. “The problem arises when dried droppings turn to dust and get inhaled. This can aggravate asthma or trigger fungal infections.”
R. Nanda Kumar, senior consultant in general medicine at SRM Global Hospitals, Chennai, adds, “Even able-bodied or healthy individuals exposed to large amounts of droppings in closed spaces may develop flu-like symptoms, breathlessness, or in rare cases, neurological signs if the infection spreads.”
Call for better healthcare interventions and environmental-specific surveillance
What needs urgent attention, experts say, is how cities manage shared spaces where human health intersects with animal activity. Experts highlights that the burden of prevention should not rest solely on individuals. Municipal corporations and resident welfare associations (RWAs) must ensure safer maintenance practices, especially in high-density urban environments. “Providing protective gear like gloves and masks to cleaning staff must be a basic public health standard,” says Dr. Surendran. “Cleaning should be done with wet methods to reduce airborne dust, not by sweeping or dry brushing.”
Dr. Ranganath recommends installing physical deterrents like nets and conducting regular cleanups in places where pigeons frequently roost. “We’re not urging harm to animals, but only the maintenance of a hygienic environment for both people and birds,” he says.
Persistent cough, chest discomfort, unexplained fatigue, wheezing, or fever should prompt medical attention, especially in people with long-term exposure to droppings. “If a cough lasts more than two weeks and does not improve with standard treatment, we need to rule out infections or hypersensitivity reactions caused by bioaerosols,” says Dr. Rajkumar K.
Dr. Nanda Kumar stresses that neurological symptoms, such as headaches, confusion, or visual changes must also be taken seriously in individuals with known exposure.
Despite the health risks, India currently lacks formal guidelines or data systems to track illnesses caused by exposure to pigeon droppings. “Most respiratory infections are tracked broadly, but we don’t have environmental-specific surveillance,” says Dr. Nanda Kumar. “Zoonotic infections from birds are not monitored at the level of tuberculosis or vector-borne diseases.”
This, experts say, needs to change. “Urban planning must account for animal-related health hazards. Public-private partnerships, routine monitoring and awareness drives in semi-urban and rural areas are essential,” says Dr. Rajkumar K.
Published – July 12, 2025 01:01 pm IST
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