Bat Poop Kills 2 Cannabis Farmers In New York From 'Rare' Fungal Infections

Two men from Rochester, New York, met their end after developing a "rare fungal lung infection" linked to using bat guano, or feces, as fertilizer for growing cannabis for their personal use.

The University of Rochester detailed the cases in a report published in Open Forum Infectious Diseases, warning that "exposure to bat guano among cannabis growers appears to be a recent trend that can lead to histoplasmosis cases and outbreaks." Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by inhaling spores of the Histoplasma fungus. It is also known as the “cave disease.”

What Happened: The first man (59), bought his guano online to use as fertilizer for his cannabis plants. The second man (64), was intending to fertilize his cannabis plants with the bat poop he found in his attic following a heavy bat infestation.

The 59-year-old, a heavy tobacco smoker who had emphysema and arthritis, was hospitalized for respiratory failure after experiencing weight loss, a sore throat and difficulty swallowing over six weeks. A biopsy confirmed histoplasmosis.

The second man, who had vascular disease, reported a "heavy bat infestation" in his attic where he regularly inspected the thick layer of guano, which he intended to use as fertilizer for his cannabis plants, reported Live Science. He was hospitalized for low sodium levels, chronic coughing and weight loss after initially being treated for histoplasmosis.

Histoplasmosis: Rare But Deadly

Histoplasmosis is often misdiagnosed or diagnosed too late, which naturally can exacerbate its severity. Symptoms include fever, muscle aches and chest pain. In severe cases, the infection can spread to the brain and spinal cord, causing meningitis. The disease affects an estimated 1 to 2 per 100,000 people annually in the U.S., though researchers suggest the prevalence may be higher due to underreporting or misdiagnosis.

The authors of the report stressed the urgent need for public awareness, particularly as cannabis legalization and the promotion of bat guano fertilizers grow. "Commercial biofertilizers containing bat guano should be tested for [the fungus] before reaching the market," they wrote. "If testing is not feasible, risk mitigation strategies should be implemented.

"The association between histoplasmosis cases and outbreaks with environmental disturbances, particularly in the presence of bat and bird droppings, is well recognized," said the researchers.

They also noted that climate change and bat migration patterns could be adding to an increase in Histoplasma infections. While bats are primary carriers of the fungus, bird droppings can also contribute to its spread.

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