From PETER BATEMAN
Pigeons may carry “only” the avian form of tuberculosis (Feedback, 1
October) but among illnesses associated with inhaling their dried droppings
are aspergillosis, histoplasmosis and ironically, “bird fanciers’ lung”.
A warning about these was issued to construction workers a few years ago by
the medical advisor to the Health and Safety Executive. His name was Dr. Bill
Parrott.
Incidentally, the 1984 Fowl Pest outbreak was traced to feed contaminated
at Liverpool by feral pigeons. The consequent £2 million cost of
slaughtering 820 000 hens was certainly not chickenfeed.
