Final answer:
Humans can catch respiratory infections from bat droppings due to ascomycete fungi like Candida albicans. White-nose syndrome, a devastating disease affecting bats, is caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, a fungus introduced from Europe to North America.
Step-by-step explanation:
Yes, you can catch a disease from bat droppings, specifically a respiratory infection caused by the ascomycete fungus found in bat guano. One example of such a fungus is Candida albicans. Moreover, bats themselves can suffer from fungal infections like white-nose syndrome, which is caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, a fungus introduced from Europe that has decimated bat populations in North America and threatens species like the Indiana bat and the Virginia big-eared bat. Disease transmission can occur when humans intrude into new environments and encounter wildlife, as evidenced by the spread of SARS from bats to civets and then to humans.
Mycologists are actively researching the transmission and control of fungal pathogens to mitigate their impact on wildlife and prevent potential human exposure.Yes, you can catch a disease from bat droppings. Bat droppings, also known as guano, can carry a fungus called Geomyces destructans or Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which is responsible for white-nose syndrome in bats. This fungal infection can be transmitted to humans if they come into contact with bat droppings or inhale the spores. The disease can cause respiratory infections in humans.