Infected bat poop meant to fertilize marijuana plants kills 2 growers in NY, doctors say
Two marijuana growers in Rochester, New York, died after contracting a deadly fungus from bat poop, intended for fertilizing their plants, doctors said.
A 59-year-old man and a 64-year-old man were hospitalized after suffering months of weight loss and worsening breathing issues, doctors said in a Dec. 5 case report published in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases.
They tested positive for Histoplasma capsulatum, a fungus that causes histoplasmosis, or an infection of the lungs, doctors said.
The two growers
The 59-year-old had a history of emphysema, a condition that damages the air sacs of the lungs; heavy tobacco use; and marijuana inhalation, according to the report. He was previously diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis but was taking a medical injection for the symptoms.
The man was losing weight for six weeks and had a sore throat when he was admitted to Strong Memorial Hospital, doctors said. It was becoming increasingly difficult to swallow, and scans showed a mass on his larynx, or voice box.
Doctors suspected carcinoma, a cancer of the tissue, and took a biopsy, which revealed the histoplasmosis infection.
“On exposure assessment, he reported the use of bat guano (poop) from an online store as a fertilizer for cannabis plants that he cultivated and smoked, but he denied other potential exposures,” doctors said.
The 59-year-old underwent treatment, but after two weeks, he continued to have extreme difficulty breathing, and “he ultimately transitioned to comfort care and died,” according to the report.
The 64-year-old arrived at the hospital after losing 35 pounds over several months, and he had low sodium content in his blood and was having difficulty eating because of poor dental hygiene, doctors said. He had a history of tobacco, marijuana and alcohol use, and previously underwent a bypass surgery to redirect blood flow to his legs.
Like the younger man, he was battling a chronic cough, but his exposure to bat poop didn’t come from an online store — it was in his own home.
“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,” doctors said.
The man was also treated for a histoplasmosis infection and was able to go home, but one month later, he returned to the hospital with pain in his abdomen, according to the report.
Blood flow to his intestines ultimately stopped, and he died from intestinal complications.
‘Natural superfood’
“Bird and bat droppings provide an ideal medium for Histoplasma growth and serve as a source of the fungus in the environment,” doctors said.
Bat guano is also being used more often in fertilizers, both in agricultural and home-growing situations, according to the report.
“Outbreaks of histoplasmosis related to agricultural fertilizers have been detected in Latin America,” doctors said. “Remarkably, numerous media articles promote bat guano as a ‘natural superfood’ for cannabis plants because of its richness in nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and organic compounds.”
Both Rochester men were growing their marijuana for personal consumption legally, but as more cities allow recreational marijuana, the doctors emphasize speaking with growers about potential exposures in more “natural” fertilizers.
The Histoplasma capsulatum fungus can live in soil in most parts of the world, including across the U.S., and while it is most commonly found in bird and bat poop, it can also live in the soil, waiting to be inhaled, according to the Cleveland Clinic.
Doctors estimate that as many as 75% of people that live in areas where the fungus lives have been infected before, even if they never show symptoms.
In the vast majority of people, about 90%, an infection doesn’t show any symptoms or the symptoms resolve on their own, but in cases of preexisting conditions or lung diseases, an infection can be fatal, the Cleveland Clinic says.
Early symptoms include fever, cough, sweating, shortness of breath, chest pain, headache, muscle aches and a rash or bumps on the lower legs. The highest chance of exposure comes from spelunking, or cave exploration; farming; keeping chickens or birds; and demolition and construction where the spores in the soil can become airborne. Seek medical treatment if you experience these symptoms following a potential exposure activity, doctors say.
This story was originally published December 17, 2024 at 11:59 AM with the headline "Infected bat poop meant to fertilize marijuana plants kills 2 growers in NY, doctors say."
