Two men in New York state have died from a rare fungal lung infection caused by exposure to bat poop used as fertilizer for their cannabis plants. The fungus, Histoplasma capsulatum, can lead to pneumonia and is usually harmless but can be deadly if the infected person has an existing lung disease or weakened immune system.
The men, aged 59 and 64, developed symptoms including fever, cough, weight loss, blood poisoning, and respiratory failure after inhaling spores from bat guano. Despite treatment with antifungal medication, they both died of their illnesses.
Doctors warn that using bat guano as fertilizer for cannabis plants poses a risk, especially in light of recent legalization and home cultivation. They recommend wearing masks when handling the fungus to minimize exposure.
Histoplasmosis is typically caused by breathing in spores from bird or bat droppings. In the US, around 1-2 per 100,000 people are infected each year, usually in the Mississippi and Ohio River valleys. The infection can be deadly for those with pre-existing lung conditions or weakened immune systems.
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises avoiding activities that may increase exposure to H. capsulatum, such as cleaning chicken coops or exploring caves. Commercial fertilizers containing bat guano should be tested for the fungus before being sold, and products should be labeled with warning signs.
Source: https://www.livescience.com/health/viruses-infections-disease/bat-poop-used-to-grow-cannabis-kills-2-in-new-york-in-unusual-cases