Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, that grows in bird and bat guano. Symptoms vary greatly but primarily affect the lungs.



Excrement from birds and bats create a health hazard for building occupants, and employees alike. When bird or bat guano dries (becomes friable), the organisms therein can travel as airborne contaminants. Inhaling the dust from infected droppings or feathers can result in pulmonary infection. Histoplasmosis is one such disease.

The short story is that some rodents are infected with a type of hantavirus that causes (HPS). Deer mice (plus cotton rats and rice rats in the Southeastern states and the white-footed mouse in the Northeast) are the rodents carrying hantaviruses that cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome. These rodents shed the virus in their urine, droppings and saliva. The virus is mainly transmitted to people when they breathe in air contaminated with the virus. This happens when fresh rodent urine, droppings or nesting materials are stirred up. When tiny droplets containing the virus get into the air, this process is known as "aerosolization." There are several other ways rodents may spread hantavirus to people:

If a rodent with the virus bites someone, the virus may be spread to that person--but this is very rare. Researchers believe that you may be able to get the virus if you touch something that has been contaminated with rodent urine, droppings or saliva, and then touch your nose or mouth. Researchers also suspect that if virus-infected rodent urine, droppings or saliva contaminates food that you eat, you could also become sick.

These possibilities demonstrate why disinfecting rodent-infested areas is so important in preventing transmission of the virus.



Enviro-Vac™ has been successfully removing bird guano hazard from factories, churches, high-rise buildings, hospitals and government buildings including owners of large and small properties since 1976.

<< ^back to top >>