Pigeon feces worry traders and require health care The presence of pigeons in squares, markets and other public spaces raises concerns for traders who live with these birds in Rio Branco. Despite being part of the routine of those who live and work in the capital, the concentration of these birds can cause problems, especially when there is an accumulation of waste in the environment. The dry feces of these animals may contain fungi capable of causing diseases such as cryptococcosis, known as pigeon disease, and histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by a fungus. Contamination mainly occurs when dry material is removed inappropriately. ? Join the g1 AC channel on WhatsApp Trader Jamil Barbosa works at Mercado da Seis de Agosto, in the Second District of Rio Branco. According to him, traders were faced with a critical situation and the number of pigeons in the area was driving away customers. “Customers fled the market due to the market being taken over by pigeons, lots of feces and a lot of health risk”, he reports. Pigeons and accumulated feces worry traders and raise awareness of diseases in public spaces in Rio Branco Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Acre According to the trader, the situation began to improve after protective screens were installed throughout the market to prevent birds from entering. "Today our market is closed, 90% of the problem has been resolved, thank God. Only a small part remains [still entering the premises], but we are gradually scaring [them] away and, thank God, we are working with a clean market", he states. Trader Maria José has been selling snacks for more than a year in the square located next to the Adonay Barbosa dos Santos Public Library, where Filmoteca Acreana operates, in the center of the capital. According to her, the presence of pigeons interferes with the work routine and worries customers. READ MORE: Store attendant dies with 'pigeon disease' one day after diagnosis in Rio Branco: 'groundless' Expert explains symptoms of 'pigeon disease' that killed store attendant in Acre Research warns of presence of disease spread by bats in Acre Learn how to avoid diseases transmitted by pigeons, bats and rats "It's difficult. There are customers who complain, but we can't do anything, we need to work. I have no other income, it's only here, so I need to work, I have to face all of this”, he says. The trader details that she tries to keep the space and products clean, but says that she has not yet found an effective way to keep birds away from the place. "We keep [the place] clean, it stays clean, there is alcohol that we put on things and on people's hands when they come to eat. There's no way to keep them at a distance, because I think it's their nature. I don't know what to do", he details. Maria also says that she has already tried some alternatives to scare away the animals from the place, but has not had any success. "They taught that they were afraid of the owl, we put it in, but it didn't work. Throwing crumbs at them is worse, because that's when they come more. I don't know what to do", he says. Diseases such as cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis are transmitted by inhalation of fungi present in the dry feces of birds such as pigeons Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Acre Care Cryptococcosis and histoplasmosis are diseases caused by fungi found in the environment. Concern increases in places where there are large concentrations of birds and accumulations of feces. Cryptococcosis can cause symptoms such as coughing, chest pain, headaches, dizziness and vomiting. In more serious cases, it can reach the central nervous system and cause intense headache, stiff neck and mental confusion. Histoplasmosis may not present symptoms in some cases. Infection generally occurs by inhaling fungal spores that spread through the air. In healthy people, it can cause symptoms similar to those of mild pneumonia, such as fever, body aches and cough. The disease can progress to more serious respiratory conditions, with a greater risk for people with compromised immune systems. See the cryptococcosis cycle Arte/TV Globo According to the coordinator of the Environmental Surveillance Department of the Municipal Health Department (Semsa), Daniel Souza, the advice is to avoid direct contact with feces and not clean without the necessary care. Before removal, according to him, the area must be moistened to prevent contaminated particles from spreading through the air, in addition to recommending the use of protective equipment such as gloves and masks. The coordinator also details that the department's teams carry out orientation visits in places where there are concentrations of pigeons and other birds that may be associated with the presence of fungi. “Most of the time, we carry out our orientation visits in city markets, squares, schools and even health centers and UPAs, at the request of the community itself”, he explains. The recommendation, according to him, is not to feed these animals in public places, avoid the concentration of birds and not sweep up, or remove, dry feces before moistening the area. Proper cleaning reduces the risk of inhaling contaminated particles. “Our main role is just to guide people on what to do in situations where they encounter a large number of pigeons or other birds that could transmit the cryptococcosis fungus,” he states. Rio Branco Health Department recommends moistening the area before cleaning feces and using gloves and masks, in addition to recommending not feeding the pigeons Reproduction/Rede Amazônica Acre Fatal case in 2023 In November 2023, store attendant Sandra Silveira Bezerra, aged 49, died in the Rio Branco Emergency Room due to the infection. The death certificate states that Sandra died of fungal meningitis, cryptococcosis, cerebral edema and pneumonia. Sandra had worked for over 12 years in a variety store on Rua Cel. Alexandrian, neighborhood