Gwangju City Warns of Food Poisoning Risk from Pigeon Droppings

Salmonella and Campylobacter Detected in Pigeon Droppings, Says Health Institute
Can Cause Diarrhea and Abdominal Pain... "Minimize Contact with Habitats and Droppings"

Reference photo of pigeons in the urban area of Gwangju. Provided by Gwangju City.

Salmonella and Campylobacter, bacteria that can cause food poisoning symptoms in humans, have been detected in the droppings of pigeons living in the Gwangju area, raising concerns and calling for caution.

The Gwangju Institute of Health and Environment announced on the 30th that Salmonella and Campylobacter were found as a result of the "Survey on Pathogen Infection in Pigeons in the Gwangju Area," which was conducted as a key research project last year.

From April to November last year, the institute collected 60 samples of pigeon droppings from 50 major pigeon habitats in Gwangju and conducted a pathogen investigation. The main pathogens detected were Salmonella in one case (1.7%) and Campylobacter in four cases (6.7%). Notably, both pathogens were simultaneously detected in pigeon droppings collected from Pureungil Park in Yangnim-dong, Nam-gu in November of last year.

Salmonella and Campylobacter can cause food poisoning symptoms such as diarrhea and abdominal pain in humans. Infection can occur through direct contact with pigeon droppings or via indirect routes. Since infection is more likely when personal hygiene is poor, it is important to follow preventive measures such as washing hands after going outside.

Jung Hyuncheol, director of the Gwangju Institute of Health and Environment, stated, "To prevent infections caused by pigeons, it is important to minimize contact with pigeon habitats and droppings, and to pay attention to personal hygiene and environmental management. We will continue to do our best in pathogen surveillance and infectious disease prevention to protect the health and vibrant lives of citizens."