Men Die From Lung Infection After Using Bat Guano as Fertilizer
Deadly Fertilizer: Two Men Die After Using Bat Guano on Marijuana Plants
Rochester, NY – Two Rochester men have tragically died after contracting a rare fungal infection linked to their use of bat guano as fertilizer for their marijuana plants.
The men, aged 59 and 64, both lifelong smokers with pre-existing health conditions, succumbed to histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by spores found in bat droppings.
The 59-year-old man,who suffered from emphysema,had been experiencing difficulty breathing and significant weight loss for months. Doctors initially suspected cancer after discovering a mass on his larynx, but further examination revealed it was histoplasmosis. Despite medical intervention, he passed away shortly after.
The 64-year-old man also experienced rapid weight loss, difficulty eating, and general decline in health. Like his friend, he was a long-term smoker and drinker.
Both men had been using bat guano, a natural fertilizer rich in nutrients, on their marijuana plants. They sourced the guano from two locations: one purchased online and the other collected from bat droppings in the attic of one of the men’s homes.
The presence of Histoplasma capsulatum fungus in the bat guano exposed the men to the spores for an undetermined period. Their compromised health likely made them more susceptible to the severe effects of the infection.
Histoplasmosis infections are relatively uncommon, with onyl about 1% of those exposed to the fungus developing the illness. Of those who do contract histoplasmosis, approximately 5% will die from the infection.
This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the potential dangers associated with using natural fertilizers, particularly those derived from animal waste.
Bat Guano Fertilizer linked to Two Deaths in Rochester
NewsDirect3 – A tragic incident in Rochester, New York has brought the potential dangers of using natural fertilizers into sharp focus. Two men, aged 59 and 64, have died from histoplasmosis, a rare fungal infection contracted from bat guano used to fertilize their marijuana plants.
Both men, longtime smokers with pre-existing health conditions, experienced severe symptoms including rapid weight loss, difficulty breathing and eating, and general decline in health.
The 59-year-old man, who suffered from emphysema, was initially suspected to have cancer due to a mass discovered on his larynx. However, further examination revealed the mass was caused by histoplasmosis.
The 64-year-old man also presented with similar symptoms and a history of heavy smoking and alcohol consumption.
Both men had been using bat guano, a natural fertilizer high in nutrients, on their marijuana plants. They obtained the guano from two sources: an online purchase and droppings collected from the attic of one of the men’s homes.
The presence of histoplasma capsulatum fungus in the bat guano exposed the men to the spores for an unknown period. Their compromised health likely increased their susceptibility to the severe effects of the infection.
While histoplasmosis infections are uncommon, with only about 1 percent of exposed individuals developing symptoms, the mortality rate is meaningful, with approximately 5 percent of those infected succumbing to the disease.
This tragic incident highlights the importance of understanding the potential risks associated with natural fertilizers, particularly those derived from animal waste.