New York tragedy: How misuse of this animal's feces led to fatal pneumonia in two men
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In a sobering reminder of the hidden dangers lurking in unconventional practices, two men from upstate New York met tragic ends after using this animal’s waste for their home-grown plants.
This alarming incident has shed light on the potential health risks associated with using untested natural products and highlights the need for caution and awareness in our pursuit of organic solutions. What did they do and how can you avoid it?
The two individuals, aged 64 and 59, succumbed to severe lung infections caused by a fungus found in the bat feces, or more commonly known as guano, that they used to cultivate marijuana. These deaths occurred in Rochester, but were not connected to one another, showing the growing trend of using bat feces to grow cannabis.
One of them bought the guano online, while another got the illness from taking guano from the colony of bats found in his attic.
The fungus, identified as Histoplasma capsulatum, is native to the Eastern United States and thrives in bat and bird droppings, as well as in soil.
While the use of guano as a plant “superfood” has gained popularity online, this tragic outcome underscores the potential for natural products to harbor dangerous pathogens. It may contain dangerous bacteria, fungus, or virus that can make people fatally ill.
Histoplasmosis, the infection caused by inhaling the spores of Histoplasma capsulatum, can range from mild to life-threatening.
Once it’s in the lungs, it can cause serious infections and cause difficulty in breathing, which may lead to death.
Those with weakened immune systems, like the two men who had histories of heavy tobacco and marijuana use, as well as other health issues, are at greater risk.
The infection can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, fatigue, and in severe cases, chronic lung disease, pneumonia, and even death.
The first victim, a 59-year-old with emphysema and a compromised immune system due to medication for arthritis, presented with respiratory distress and weight loss.
Doctors found small masses in his throat and vocal cords that they initially thought might have been cancer, but upon further checking, turned out to be wounds formed in response to the fungus.
It caused pneumonia, a lung infection where fluid or pus fills the lungs, inhibiting breathing.
Despite treatment with antifungal medications, he could not overcome the infection. It spread to his respiratory tract to other parts of the body. The second man, 64, had a history of heart disease and also used tobacco and cannabis heavily. He came to the hospital with a chronic cough and 35 pounds of weight loss.
Doctors found irregular clumps of cells on the mans lungs, chest, pancreas and adrenal glands, causing inflammation that made it hard to breathe and digest food.
The fungal infection had spread from his respiratory tract to his stomach.
These cases, detailed by specialists from the University of Rochester in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases, have raised alarms within the medical community.
According to doctors from the CDC, the fungus is less likely to claim lives of younger, healthier individuals.
Data from the American Thoracic Society shows that as many as 250,000 Americans get sick with the bug each year.
However, only between 5 and 7% of people with the illness die.
With the increasing legalization and home cultivation of marijuana, there is a concern that more individuals may unknowingly expose themselves to such risks. Physicians are being urged to be vigilant for symptoms of histoplasmosis, especially in regions where the fungus is endemic.
Have you or someone you know been affected by infections related to natural products? Do you have tips for safe gardening practices? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
This alarming incident has shed light on the potential health risks associated with using untested natural products and highlights the need for caution and awareness in our pursuit of organic solutions. What did they do and how can you avoid it?
The two individuals, aged 64 and 59, succumbed to severe lung infections caused by a fungus found in the bat feces, or more commonly known as guano, that they used to cultivate marijuana. These deaths occurred in Rochester, but were not connected to one another, showing the growing trend of using bat feces to grow cannabis.
One of them bought the guano online, while another got the illness from taking guano from the colony of bats found in his attic.
The fungus, identified as Histoplasma capsulatum, is native to the Eastern United States and thrives in bat and bird droppings, as well as in soil.
While the use of guano as a plant “superfood” has gained popularity online, this tragic outcome underscores the potential for natural products to harbor dangerous pathogens. It may contain dangerous bacteria, fungus, or virus that can make people fatally ill.
Histoplasmosis, the infection caused by inhaling the spores of Histoplasma capsulatum, can range from mild to life-threatening.
Two men in upstate New York died from pneumonia caused by a fungus found in bat feces used as fertilizer for growing marijuana. Image source: Pexels / Mirian Fischer.
Once it’s in the lungs, it can cause serious infections and cause difficulty in breathing, which may lead to death.
Those with weakened immune systems, like the two men who had histories of heavy tobacco and marijuana use, as well as other health issues, are at greater risk.
The infection can cause a range of symptoms, including fever, cough, fatigue, and in severe cases, chronic lung disease, pneumonia, and even death.
The first victim, a 59-year-old with emphysema and a compromised immune system due to medication for arthritis, presented with respiratory distress and weight loss.
Doctors found small masses in his throat and vocal cords that they initially thought might have been cancer, but upon further checking, turned out to be wounds formed in response to the fungus.
It caused pneumonia, a lung infection where fluid or pus fills the lungs, inhibiting breathing.
Despite treatment with antifungal medications, he could not overcome the infection. It spread to his respiratory tract to other parts of the body. The second man, 64, had a history of heart disease and also used tobacco and cannabis heavily. He came to the hospital with a chronic cough and 35 pounds of weight loss.
Doctors found irregular clumps of cells on the mans lungs, chest, pancreas and adrenal glands, causing inflammation that made it hard to breathe and digest food.
The fungal infection had spread from his respiratory tract to his stomach.
These cases, detailed by specialists from the University of Rochester in the journal Open Forum Infectious Diseases, have raised alarms within the medical community.
According to doctors from the CDC, the fungus is less likely to claim lives of younger, healthier individuals.
Data from the American Thoracic Society shows that as many as 250,000 Americans get sick with the bug each year.
However, only between 5 and 7% of people with the illness die.
With the increasing legalization and home cultivation of marijuana, there is a concern that more individuals may unknowingly expose themselves to such risks. Physicians are being urged to be vigilant for symptoms of histoplasmosis, especially in regions where the fungus is endemic.
Have you or someone you know been affected by infections related to natural products? Do you have tips for safe gardening practices? Share your stories and advice in the comments below!
