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A Threads user raised concerns about the cleanliness at Hospital Tengku Ampuan Rahmah (HTAR) in Klang after witnessing pigeons roaming around in the ward and eating patients’ food.
User @ray_nambiar claimed that pigeon droppings were found everywhere in the ward.
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Although public healthcare is said to be cheap and subsidised, other users said patients still deserve good, quality care. Another Threads user added that patients still deserve to recover with safety and dignity at the hospital ward.
Meanwhile, another person reminded everyone that the overworked hospital staff is not to blame here.
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The hospital responds
HTAR explained that the pigeons are nesting on the trees around the hospital and may have entered the building by accident.
The hospital is implementing control measures such as pruning trees and continuous monitoring in the wards.
HTAR also promised to work with the local authorities to control the bird population around the hospital area.
The hospital takes the matter seriously and is committed to ensuring a safe, hygienic, and conducive hospital environment for all.
Why are people wary of pigeons?
Birds are wonderful creatures, but they are still wild animals at the end of the day. We’re often advised to give pigeons a wide berth in public areas because their excrement can cause respiratory infections in humans.
Dried pigeon droppings can cause a condition known as ‘’Pigeon Lung.’’ Pigeon Lung happens when fungal spores or bacteria from the droppings enter the lungs.
According to Associate Professor Ts Dr Mohd Shukri Mohd Aris, the head of UiTM’s Occupational Health, Safety and Risk Management research group, fresh pigeon droppings are generally low risk and don’t carry infection unless the pigeon already has a bacterial infection inside its body.
He explained that four harmful parasites can be found in bird droppings:
- Histoplasmosis – a fungal infection
- Cryptococcosis – another fungal infection
- Psittacosis – a bacterial infection
- Salmonellosis – a bacterial infection
All four can be dangerous to humans.
The fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, found in pigeon droppings, can cause:
- Fever
- Coughing
- Fatigue
- Chronic lung infection (in serious cases)
It’s advisable to wear a mask when cleaning dried pigeon droppings to prevent the chance of getting a lung infection.
That said, caring for pigeons is still safe if we follow appropriate safety measures.
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Pigeons Caught Eating Patients’ Food, HTAR To Take Animal Control Measures
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