By BOB MARTIN
Eagle Times Staff
NEWPORT, N.H. — After finding hundreds of bats in the ceiling at Richards School in Newport, air samples came back negative for the fungus Cryptococcus, which can make people seriously sick, especially for those with weakened immune systems.
“Although the written report is not yet completed, Sean from RPF Environmental Testing and Consulting Services confirmed that all air samples tested negative for the presence of Cryptococcus,” SAU 43 Superintendent Donna Magoon wrote in an update posted on the Newport School District Facebook page. “Cryptococcus is a tiny germ found in soil and bat guano that can sometimes make people sick, especially if their bodies are not very good at fighting off infections.”
According to the Centers for Disease Control, cryptococcosis is a fungal disease caused by breathing in spores from Cryptococcus. The infection can affect the different parts of the body but usually causes lung or brain infections, including cryptococcal meningitis. It can even be fatal. Cryptococcus can be found in bat guano, but also in spoil, bird dung, decaying wood and trees.
Magoon said that once the full report is finalized, she will be creating a timeline outlining the actions that have taken place, as well as future steps that are planned to “maintain a safe and healthy learning environment.”
Richards School was closed on Monday due to hundreds of big brown bats hibernating in the ceiling. The school has hired pest control companies to come in and take samples, conduct full comprehensive studies and create a plan to remove the bats in March.
Magoon explained that staff members at the elementary school recently started to feel sick, and an air quality test was conducted. They all had similar symptoms and tested the air for mold, as well as checking a piece of a tile. Both tests came back negative and Magoon wondered what the issue could be.
Magoon recalled a conversation she had with a former facilities manager who said there were some bats living in the attic. She had also been talking with her son about bats because they thought there might be one living in the siding of their house, and the topic of bat guano came up. Her son spoke about how unhealthy it could be, and it dawned on her that this could be the issue at the school.
JP Pest Services came to the school for an inspection and found guano that was six inches high in some areas due to the countless bats that were hibernating. Because of the cold, the bats have since moved down in the building, huddled together to stay warm. One of the bats woke up and made its way into the school, swooping into a teacher, and Magoon decided to cancel school for the day for Monadnock Pest and Wildlife to come in and do a study.
Magoon explained in a letter to the school community that a thorough inspection was conducted at the elementary school with the assistance of Monadnock Pest and Wildlife Services, where areas of entry for the bats coming into the school were identified. The inspection also found that the bats were primarily located in the older part of the building. Magoon said a more detailed report is expected to come “within a few weeks,” and she plans to share with the school community.
“The bats have been finding their way into the occupied area of the building through small holes in ceiling tiles and other gaps around pipes,” Magoon wrote in Monday’s letter. “Today, our facilities team worked diligently to seal all the holes/gaps in the ceiling tiles and any openings around pipes in the areas of concern.”
Magoon said that no bats were found during the inspection, but this was because they often hide in small places behind insulation while they are hibernating.
“To address this issue proactively, we will be contracting with someone to look for any signs of bat movement,” Magoon said. “This will be happening roughly every two weeks. Also, our facilities team will conduct inspections to ensure that all ceiling tiles remain intact, and any damaged tiles are promptly replaced or repaired.”
