GHMC ignores allergic weed

Hyderabad: The rapid spread of the allergic Parthenium weed is alarming in the residential and other areas of Hyderabad.

The plant’s pollen is a proven allergen trigger in asthma and other diseases. Parthenium grows lushly during the monsoon and if not removed before flowering it will become dangerous. Now the plant is found everywhere from home gardens to lake beds in Hyderabad.

As the GHMC does not take responsibility for removing this plant it is the citizen's headache. Parthenium looks like the carrot plant and has pale white to pale yellowish flowers.

Dr Vijay K. Chennamchetty, an interventional pulmonologist and sleep disorder specialist said that Parthenium which is also called Congress grass is an allergic weed found in wastelands, farms, urban areas, overgrazed pastures and along roadsides and railway tracks.

Exposure to the Parthenium hysterophorous pollen extract leads to broncho spasm in patients having bronchial asthma.

It’s a type I hypersensitivity reaction. It causes asthma in the way other pollens cause hyper reactive airway disease.

It can also causes respiratory problems and can trigger simple hay fever like allergic manifestations called status asthmaticus, which needs hospitalisation and ICU care.

“The Indian government earlier tried to control its growth using a beetle, a bio-control agent. However, it was unsuccessful. Parthenium can be controlled by removing manually before it starts flowering. The seeds are dispersed by air once flowering starts. During the rainy season it spreads widely as it flowers when monsoon begins. The plucking of parthenium should be taken up before monsoons, said professor C. Srinivasulu, a zoologist of OU.

Experts say that to get the allergy it is not necessary to come in contact with the plant. Its pollen can travel in the air and affect the patient. For example an evening walk can trigger an asthma attack in a sensitive individual if he gets exposed to parthenium pollens.