Insidious danger in the humid climate of the Black Sea

Özlü stated that those engaged in animal husbandry should change their straw storage methods to prevent the disease from becoming chronic, adding, "The vast majority of farmer's lung cases reported in our country are from the Eastern Black Sea Region. This is due to regional characteristics.

Humidity, primarily climate, plays a role. We live in a region with very high relative humidity. This humidity and moisture allow actinomycetes, fungi, and mushrooms to grow and multiply very easily. Farming in this region involves mowing grass throughout the summer and storing it in home gardens. Plastic sheets are often placed over the grass to protect it from rain. These grasses absorb moisture and water from the soil below.

Because it's stored in a warm and humid environment, fungi proliferate within it. Animal keepers inhale these fungi when they carry grass before their animals. Inhaling these fungi can lead to acute farmer's lung disease. Or, with repeated inhalations, it can develop into a chronic form of farmer's lung over time, he said.

'IT MAY BE DIFFICULT TO RETURN'

Prof. Dr. Özlü, listing the symptoms of farmer's lung disease, offered warnings regarding the treatment process, saying, "Icy formation in the lungs manifests itself with shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing. If the acute illness develops, symptoms such as high fever, chills, and shivering may also occur. Sometimes, icy formations can be detected on a random chest x-ray or CT scan."

"It can occur particularly in those who raise cattle, sheep, and goats, and sometimes in those who keep birds or poultry. It's a very common disease among women who raise livestock in the Eastern Black Sea Region. If it goes unnoticed and is treated with antibiotics and allergy medications, it can become chronic over time and, unfortunately, be more difficult to reverse," he said.

'THE PATIENT SHOULD QUIT LIVESTOCK HUSBANDRY'

Özlü emphasized that individuals should abandon animal husbandry to prevent the disease from progressing, saying, "If such a disease is diagnosed, the first thing that needs to be done is to leave that environment completely. Animal husbandry must be stopped completely. Patients defend themselves by saying, 'My children and my wife are taking care of it.' This is not true. If the smell and dust of animals are present in the environment, the antigens of these fungi continue to be inhaled."

"Unfortunately, despite our strict warnings, many patients are unable to keep their animals, which can lead to further complications. It's not appropriate for these patients to be in a village setting. Even if they don't have their own animals, they may have a neighbor's. They should absolutely stay away from any animal odor or dust," he said.

'ANIMAL FEEDING HABITS MUST BE CHANGED'

Özlü warned about changing animal husbandry habits in the Eastern Black Sea region, saying, "The culture of preserving grass as much as possible needs to change to avoid farmer's lung. We do not see this disease in the Aegean Region.

"It's a dry area, and hay is stored in a closed area. Hay and hay should be stored in dry environments, not placed on the ground, and not covered with plastic wrap. This type of animal feeding habit needs to be changed," he said.