Histoplasmosis

Histoplasmosis Disinfection Services

ITS Environmental Services is the leading expert in the disinfection of Histoplasmosis. We provide emergency commercial and residential disinfecting services throughout New York, Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

What is Histoplasmosis?

Histoplasmosis is an infection caused by a fungus called Histoplasma. The fungus lives in the environment, particularly in soil that contains large amounts of bird or bat droppings. In the United States, Histoplasma mainly lives in the central and eastern states, especially areas around the Ohio and Mississippi River valleys. The fungus also lives in parts of Central and South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. People can get histoplasmosis after breathing in the microscopic fungal spores from the air. Although most people who breathe in the spores don’t get sick, those who do may have a fever, cough, and fatigue. Many people who get histoplasmosis will get better on their own without medication, but in some people, such as those who have weakened immune systems, the infection can become severe.

Histoplasmosis Symptoms can include:

• Fever

• Cough

• Fatigue (extreme tiredness)

• Chills

• Headache

• Chest pain

• Body aches

*As mentioned above, in some people, usually those who have weakened immune systems, histoplasmosis can develop into a long-term lung infection, or it can spread from the lungs to other parts of the body, such as the central nervous system (the brain and spinal cord).

Histoplasmosis Transmission

Histoplasmosis is typically acquired via inhalation of airborne microconidia, often after disturbance of contaminated material (e.g., activities such as spelunking, cleaning chicken coops, or construction). Primary cutaneous histoplasmosis and solid organ donor-derived histoplasmosis are extremely uncommon. Histoplasma grows best in soil that contains bird or bat droppings. Bats can get histoplasmosis and spread the fungus in their droppings. It can be difficult to avoid breathing in Histoplasma in areas where it’s common in the environment. In areas where Histoplasma is known to live, people who have weakened immune systems (for example, by HIV/AIDS, an organ transplant, or medications such as corticosteroids or TNF-inhibitors) should avoid doing activities that are known to be associated with getting histoplasmosis, including:

• Disturbing material (for example, digging in soil or chopping wood) where there are bird or bat droppings

• Cleaning chicken coops

• Exploring caves

• Cleaning, remodeling, or tearing down old buildings.

Histoplasmosis Disinfection Method should include: 

Although there are no EPA approved chemicals or disinfectants known to kill Histoplasmosis, the generally accepted method of eradication involves wetting/misting areas with high concentrations of droppings with a 10:1 solution of water to bleach. Droppings should be disposed of in line with regulations for regulated medical waste. Full PPE is mandatory for this type of disinfection. Large amounts of bird or bat droppings should be cleaned up by professional companies that specialize in the removal of hazardous waste.

Do you have a facility that needs disinfection? We offer cleaning for food production and would be honored to help restore your facility.