The Risk of Histoplasmosis From Bats

If you are among the few people who admire bats, we have a word of caution for you. Be careful around these winged mammals. Bats are undoubtedly unique and fascinating members of our ecosystem but they also carry with them bacteria that may lead to terrible diseases in people and domestic animals. One such disease is Histoplasmosis, a rare but serious illness. To avoid this and other serious bat-related illnesses you are advised to seek an expert bat removal company when your Milwaukee home is invaded by the winged mammals. A reported case of Histoplasmosis has occurred in Alberta. This was the result of a resident’s attempts to clean bat droppings herself.  While carrying out the cleaning activities she began to experience shortness of breath. Upon seeking medical attention she was diagnosed as having been infected with Histoplasmosis.

Bat Droppings – A Vehicle for Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis is a potentially deadly disease that is common around the world but has a greater concentration in North and Central America. The diseases can be passed on to human beings and their pets. It is caused by the fungus Histoplasma and is associated with bat and birds. The fungus causing Histoplasmosis develops under roosts that contain bat droppings. Bats can contract the disease and then release it in their droppings. While the bat droppings lay on the ground a fungus grows beneath it. When the roost is disturbed, microscopic airborne spores containing the bacteria float into the atmosphere where it is inhaled and transported via the respiratory system into the lungs. Once inside the lungs the fungus is in the ideal location to grow into yeast as the body’s warmth facilitates this. This yeast then travels into the lymph nodes and makes its way into the bloodstream and from there it can make its way into any organ of the body. Histoplasmosis symptoms include breathing complications, severe muscular pain and blistering on the hands.

Seeing Bat Droppings? What to Do

The first thing to do with any area in which you see bat droppings is to avoid it. If you are in the construction process and discover bat droppings you should stop all work immediately and have the workers medically examined.  Do not attempt to remove the bat droppings yourself as this puts you and others at risk of contracting bat-related diseases. This is a job for the experts.

The Expert and Humane Solution to Bat Intrusion

Getting the humane animal removal experts involved is good for your health, but it is also advantageous for the bats. Many DIY bat removal techniques result in death or injury for the poor animals. Injuring or killing bats, even accidentally may result in you facing the consequences as outlined in Milwaukee’s animal protection legislation. The humane solution is, therefore, the best way to handle bat problems. Skedaddle is a highly efficient bat removal company in Milwaukee with a menu of humane removal and control services that are designed to ensure that your Milwaukee property becomes bat free and stays that way afterward. Skedaddle’s wildlife technicians are equipped with knowledge and resources that enable them to humanely remove bat colonies and clean bat droppings without exposing you or themselves to diseases such as Histoplasmosis. Our wildlife technicians will also apply cleaning solutions that neutralize the threat of all bat-related diseases.