Histoplasmatic Clean-Up

How Are Wildlife Droppings (Histoplasmosis) an Environmental Concern?

It might seem odd to think of wildlife droppings as an environmental concern. However, the droppings of birds, bats, and rodents in a home or building can lead to a fungal infection called Histoplasmosis. It affects the lungs and can potentially travel to other parts of the body. Anyone can contract the illness, though it is more likely to occur in someone with an already-weakened immune system. 

How It Spreads

Birds—and chickens in particular—along with bats, dogs, cats, rats, skunks, opossum, fox, and other animals can contract the illness and play a role in spreading it. They can acquire the disease by inhaling the spore stage of the fungus. Outbreaks can occur in people or animals who are commonly exposed to bird or bat droppings, or the recently disturbed contaminated soil found in chicken coops, caves, barns, or buildings with rodent infestations.