Bangkok woman contracts rare lung infection from feeding pigeons

[webfact]

A Bangkok woman who regularly fed pigeons unknowingly inhaled fungal spores, leading to a lung infection and requiring surgery to remove a mass. Despite having no symptoms, she was diagnosed with cryptococcal pneumonia, which had formed a cavity in her lung.

 

Manoon Leechawengwong, a respiratory disease specialist, shared the case on Facebook, detailing the woman’s condition. At 52 years old, she lived in Bangkok and was generally healthy, with no history of smoking or chronic illness. She had no symptoms like cough, fever, loss of appetite, weight loss, or headaches.

 

During a routine annual check-up on May 12, an X-ray revealed a new small mass in the upper lobe of her right lung. A previous X-ray from the year before was normal. A CT scan showed the mass measured 0.9 by 0.9 by 1.7 centimetres, with a cavity inside.

 

Blood tests confirmed she did not have HIV. Suspecting lung cancer, doctors performed surgery to remove the mass on May 22 at a nearby hospital.

 

The pathology report identified the mass as cryptococcal pneumonia, caused by the fungus Cryptococcus Neoformans. Four days post-surgery, a blood test for cryptococcal antigen came back positive with a titer of 1:8.

 

The patient began treatment with the antifungal medication fluconazole. Seeking further advice, she consulted with her doctors on the next steps.

 

Further questioning revealed that the woman lived in an area with many pigeons and frequently fed them. She had inhaled spores from pigeon droppings, leading to the fungal infection in her lung.

 

Fortunately, her strong immune system prevented the infection from spreading beyond her lungs. The treatment plan includes taking oral fluconazole for approximately six months. She was advised to avoid feeding pigeons and to stay away from areas where they congregate, reported Sanook.

 

Manoon emphasised the importance of awareness regarding the health risks associated with feeding pigeons, particularly the potential for inhaling harmful fungal spores.

 

by Bob Scott
Picture courtesy of Today's Homeowner

 

Source: The Thaiger 2024-06-04

 

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[pattjock]

it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison.

[pattjock]

Just now, pattjock said:

it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison.

[pattjock]

[brianthainess]

Flying rats, need culling. 

[petermik]

Silly woman.....

[jaiyenyen]

31 minutes ago, pattjock said:

 

 

Tell that to the idiots that feed them in my village at Don Mueang. It started about 4 years ago with about ten pigeons, now they are in their hundreds.

Where's me gun!!!! 555

 

[hotchilli]

2 hours ago, webfact said:

A Bangkok woman who regularly fed pigeons unknowingly inhaled fungal spores, leading to a lung infection and requiring surgery to remove a mass.

But the poor things are starving.... 

[roo860]

1 hour ago, jaiyenyen said:

 

 

Tell that to the idiots that feed them in my village at Don Mueang. It started about 4 years ago with about ten pigeons, now they are in their hundreds.

Where's me gun!!!! 555

 

When you've shot the locals then start on the pigeons!

[tandor]

Psittacosis is a real threat coupled with the rapid global spread of H5N1.

 

[Denim]

2 hours ago, pattjock said:

it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison.

 

A lot of things are illegal here but without much if any enforcement they are just more words on paper.

[steven100]

 

was she speaking in Pigeon english or thai language 

[BobBKK]

In Chiang Mai, they encourage feeding and taking photos at Thaepe Gate, which is a disgrace. 

[BobBKK]

2 hours ago, pattjock said:

it's illegal to feed pigeons in Bangkok. 10,000Baht find and/or 3 months in prison.

 Just Bangkok?  it's a HUGE problem in Chiang Mai also.

[NedR69]

Chest x-rays every year but did not have any lung health concerns?? 

 

"was generally healthy, with no history of smoking or chronic illness."

 

Nah...there's more to this than is provided.

 

Getting a chest x-ray every year is not routine unless there are lifestyle or health concerns.

 

 

( If you have lung issues, stay away from birds, especially aviaries or regular contact with birds. )

[Photoguy21]

Pidgeon's carry and can spread a lot of diseases which is why they do not want you feeding them. 

[Photoguy21]

1 minute ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

forwards this to chinese tourists and tik tok

If I did they would ignore it. Chinese are very difficult to work with in any way what so ever. Be better if Thailand imposed heavy fines on them.

[BobBKK]

1 hour ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

news!!!! go have a look!!!

 

cops are there enforcing it and it seems to be working!   for about a week now.....ive talked to them each time

 

2000 bt fine...no seed hawkers....much less birds that want to land on chinese for selfies but they are still trying

 

of course thai birds wont do much unless you give them something!  🙂    kudos to BIB for trying....much nicer there!!!

 
WOW - really?  that's amazing news I'll take a look this weekend - thank you

 

[Hardcastle P]

4 hours ago, brianthainess said:

Flying rats, need culling. 

Rats with wings 

[0ffshore360]

15 minutes ago, Hardcastle P said:

Rats with wings 

All the people living around me have the same thought about pigeons and go to great lengths to discourage them.

What used to be fluctuating numbers have decreased since the number of crows has increased.

Personally I think both are dirty birds but at least the crows don't try to nest in buildings.

[pattjock]

If you are feed up with pigeons print out the flyers at the top and give to your local pigeon feeders, local police station and local city hall. Maybe something will change.

[BangkokReady]

Bless em.  Thais always seem to be doing something harmful in the name of "good deeds".  Feed the dangerous soi dogs (with food that rats probably eat most of), feed the disease spreading winged vermin, keep birds suffering in tiny cages and fish in small buckets thinking they'll get good karma by temporarily releasing them. 

 

I dread to think of the amount of negative karma that these Thais are actually building up.

[kidneyw]

3 hours ago, NedR69 said:

If you have lung issues, stay away from birds

Does that include Soi 6?

[Cory1848]

My cat caught cryptococcosis from habitually walking in pigeon droppings and licking her paws. It ate away half her face, and I had to have her put down. I learned that the fungus is not directly transferable from one animal to another, you need to get the spores from the source to get sick, but the vets were very careful in handling my cat. I wish the best to this woman who caught it; it's nasty stuff.

[SAFETY FIRST]

15 hours ago, webfact said:

Bangkok woman contracts rare lung infection from feeding pigeons 

Stupid person, feeding rats with wings. 

 

[KhunLA]

Nothing rare about that, if exposing yourself to pigeons all the time.  My brother use to race pigeons, they almost killed him, the lung infection that is.  He had to give up the hobby.

 

Shock surprise, masks didn't work 😲