HISTOPLASMOSIS
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.
We can
successfully remove bird guano hazard from factories, churches, high-rise buildings,
hospitals and government buildings including owners of large and small properties.
Call
Restoration Environmental Contractors 1-800-894-4924 |