Two men from Rochester, New York, tragically died after contracting a rare fungal lung infection from handling bat droppings. They had planned to use bat poop as fertilizer for growing marijuana. Both men, aged 59 and 64, both developed histoplasmosis, which is a condition caused by inhaling spores of a harmful fungus that is found in bat poop also known as guano. The details of their case were published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases earlier this month in U.S.
One of the men purchased bat guano online for his plants, while the other decided to gather it from a bat-infested attic in his home. After using it both of them began experiencing several severe symptoms. Symptoms such as fever, chronic cough, significant weight loss, blood poisoning, and it eventually end up in respiratory failure. Despite several medical treatments, including antifungal drugs, both men ultimately died from infection.
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Histoplasmosis, is initially considered a disease endemic to the Ohio and Mississippi river valleys. This disease has now spread across the United States, with several cases reported in central and eastern regions as well. The report noted that each year, roughly one to two people per 100,000 in the U.S. are diagnosed with this fungal infection.
As cannabis cultivation becomes more popular, especially with recent legalization efforts. Moreover bat guano has gained a specific attention as a “natural superfood” for enhancing plant growth. But many people are still not fully aware of the risks associated with handling bat droppings. The report also emphasizes need for greater public awareness to prevent such fatalities in the future.
Several studies suggest that government agencies should increase awareness campaigns to educate people about the dangers of bat guano. It also urges that commercial biofertilizers containing bat guano should be tested for the Histoplasma capsulatum fungus before being sold. If testing isn’t feasible, risk mitigation strategies should be implemented to protect users.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) from U.S. advises against activities that could expose individuals to these harmful fungi, such as cave exploration or cleaning areas with significant amounts of bird or bat droppings. The CDC recommends professional for removal services in the larger accumulations to minimize risks associated with fungal infections.
