In a particularly unusual and tragic incident, two men have passed away after developing a form of pneumonia linked to using an atypical fertilizer.
The fertilizer in question was made from bat feces. Indeed, they used bat droppings to nourish cannabis plants.
Unfortunately, these men, whose names have not been disclosed, fell severely ill after exposure to the bat feces, scientifically referred to as guano, leading to their deaths.
The illness was caused by the Histoplasma fungus.
Researchers from the University of Rochester noted in a recent report: “Exposure to bat guano among cannabis growers appears to be a recent trend that can lead to histoplasmosis cases and outbreaks.”
One of the victims, aged 59, had emphysema.
He also suffered from arthritis and was hospitalized with respiratory failure.
He had been experiencing weight loss for six weeks and also had trouble swallowing.
Doctors initially treated him for pneumonia and a bacterial infection, but he required a ventilator. Tissue analysis confirmed infection with fungi, consistent with histoplasma.
The man disclosed that he had purchased bat guano online shortly before his respiratory failure.
The second man who passed away had a condition causing reduced blood flow to his limbs.
He also had a persistent cough.
The researchers wrote: “Remarkably, the patient reported a heavy bat infestation of his attic with a thick layer of guano that he inspected on multiple occasions intending to use it as fertilizer for his cannabis plants. He denied other potential exposures to Histoplasma.”
He too was treated for possible histoplasmosis.
He was hospitalized again after discharge due to abdominal pain and eventually succumbed to a condition where intestinal blood flow was compromised.
Should this be a cause for concern?
Thankfully, it seems to be quite rare. Statistics indicate that annually, only 1 to 2 people out of every 100,000 in the U.S. contract histoplasmosis.
Symptoms to watch for include fever, muscle aches, and chest pain.
Besides bat droppings, bird droppings can also harbor the fungus.
Experts caution that bat guano is increasingly being marketed as a fertilizer due to the growing legalization of cannabis.
They emphasize the need for awareness.
“Commercial biofertilizers containing bat guano should be tested for [the fungus] before reaching the market,” the researchers advised. “If testing is not feasible, risk mitigation strategies should be implemented.”