Eagle Pass Independent School District tackles Bat Infestation in Local Schools
By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Independent School District, Copyright 2016
The Eagle Pass Independent School District Board of Trustees held a meeting on March 8,2016 and discussed an important issue concerning the serious dilemma of bat infestation in at least four public school campuses.
During the course of the meeting and under agenda action item No.5, EPISD Trustees discussed and took the necessary action by authorizing Superintendent Gilberto Gonzalez or his Designee to enter into a Contract and make related budgeted purchases as per Board Policy CH for Pest Abatement District-Wide pursuant to Texas Education Code Section 44.031 (H) in order to avoid imminent disruption of classes and other essential school activities due to serious bats’ infestation in at least four school campuses.
During the meeting, EPISD Superintendent Gilberto Gonzalez presented the School Boards general information regarding the seriousness of the bats’ infestation in local public schools.
“We’re bringing this item to the board as one of our schools has a problem with bats.” said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez explained the issue to the EPISD School board who listened attentively.
Gonzalez stated that the school district was having an issue with bats in some schools within the Eagle Pass Independent School District.
“ We’ve been dealing with this infestation in certain schools. “said Gonzalez.
Gonzalez then explained that it was of great importance that the board approve agenda item No.5 due to risks and also procreation time of the bats that according to experts is around the corner.
Gonzalez recommended the Board approve agenda item No. 5 to allow him to over ride certain actions and expedite the proper work to eliminate the problem immediately.
EPISD Assistant Superintendent for Business and Finance, Ismael Mijares, advised the Board that the expenditure would be estimated at approximately between $20,000 to $25,000 with a threshold of up to $50,000.
EPISD Board President Lupita Fuentes asked Gonzalez if he could clarify what school was having bat problems.
Gonzalez answered that it was C.C. Winn High School and that Rosita Valley Elementary had a problem with bats, but that it had already been addressed.
“We just hope that the bats that we abated at Rosita Valley aren’t the ones that went to C.C Winn.” said Gonzalez.
The EPISD Board and administration proceeded to discuss the issue in attempts to clarify the proper action to take and what action could be taken to address the bat issue. Eagle Pass High School has also had a continuous bat infestation problem since it was constructed. Other EPISD campuses also have previously reported problems with bat infestations.
The EPISD board approved agenda item No.5 unanimously .
Bats are a major issue especially in the mid-west part of the State and could be highly dangerous due to the possibilities of some of them being rabies carriers among other problems created by bat feces.
A review of the Texas Department of Health Services rabies reports for the years 2001 to 2014 show no rabies cases in Maverick County stemming from contact/bite from any type of bat. Their was one bat bite case reported in 2013, but fortunately turned out negative for rabies.
Bat infestations clearly are a potential danger that must be properly taken care of. Another concerning issue that arises from bat infestations that put more people in danger than actual bat bites is histoplasmosis, an infectious disease caught by inhaling the spores of the histoplasmosis capsulation (Bat Guano) fungus.
While it is not contagious, the disease can affect a wide variety of the population who may not even be aware they are at risk.
Histoplasmosis is a disease you can get from exposure to bat guano (bat droppings).
Anyone can get histoplasmosis. There are, however, certain people whose occupations make the risk of exposure greater than others. Included in that group are chimney cleaners, construction workers, gardeners, HVAC installers or repair people, roofers, and, of course, spelunkers (cave explorers). In reality, however, anyone who comes across the fungus can get histoplasmosis according to Get Bats Out.com.
“Bats become infected with histoplasmosis, and their feces contain the histoplasmosis fungus. This fungus grows in the soil where the droppings land, or in the droppings found in an attic occupied by bats. The fungus then continues to grow, just waiting for you or anyone to come along to clean out the old barn, the attic, or other place where the spores now lie.”
Histoplasmosis is often transmitted and introduced in the air as dirt is disturbed or in other way causing an increase opportunity for people to become infected.
Back in 1970, several hundred Ohio middle school students developed histoplasmosis, simply because they breathed the spores through their school ventilation system over the few days following a “clean up” of the school’s courtyard as an Earth Day project. Even those children who were not present at the clean up were exposed to the spores over the next few days and came down with histoplasmosis. It was later determined that the spores were spread through the school’s ventilation system.
“Histoplasmosis first affects the lungs, and often those with the disease have no or very mild symptoms within the first few days. On an average, around 10 days after exposure, many sufferers complain of flu-like symptoms: fever, chest pain, loss of appetite, dry cough, headache, shortness of breath, impaired vision, and possibly joint and muscle pains. Because of the vague symptoms, you may have been exposed to the disease and not know it.”
“In many cases, the disease may run its course, and you will think you’ve simply had a case of the flu. Some cases, however, are more serious, leading to long-term illness, often resembling tuberculosis in nature. And some cases, if not treated, are fatal.”
“If you have a weakened immune system (are undergoing chemotherapy, have AIDS, etc.) or are a heavy smoker, you may be more susceptible to getting histoplasmosis. And if you’ve had it in the past, you are subject to a re-infection or reactivation of the disease after another exposure. This is especially true for the elderly, those with compromised immune systems, and the very young.”
The Maverick County Courthouse has a serious bat infestation problem for many years. Maverick County has had to hire experts to remediate the bat infestation problem at the County Courthouse.
If you suspect you may have been exposed to bat droppings or guano, you should contact your health professional/ doctor, and set up the proper appointments for testing and if so, treatment. It is imperative that you quickly seek medical attention if you think you have been exposed.
All people are requested not to touch or handle any live or dead bats which they may find or come across as the bat may have rabies and infect one with rabies. Please report all bats in local public schools to the Eagle Pass Independent School District at (830) 773-5181.
