Dozens sickened as potentially deadly fungus spreads in southern state

Histoplasmosis is a lung infection caused by exposure to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum.(iStock)

The fungus comes from soil that is contaminated with bird or bat droppings, according to state officials.People are exposed when they breathe in thefungal spores.A single common source has not been identified in the Tennessee outbreak.

extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, chills and chest pain — typically emerge within three to 17 days after exposure to the fungus.

“Histopplasmosis can be deadly to certain patients, but it doesn’t have to be.”

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Because these symptoms are similar tothe cold and flu, the condition is often missed or misdiagnosed.

Dr.Zaid Fadul, CEO of Bespoke Concierge MD in California, noted that most people aren’t at a high risk.“Most of the time, we don’t get sick because the amount of spores we breathe in is minimal (assuming we are not working outside all day),�

immune systemsor those with high exposure levels to the spores, according to the doctor.“If the immune system is compromised, histoplasmosis can run amok and cause a life-threatening illness,” he warned.

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State officials confirmed there have been 35 cases over a three-month period in the Murray and Williamson County area.(iStock)

While most people do not require treatment, there are antifungal medications for severe cases.Some of the Tennessee patients have been hospitalized and some are “critically ill,” the state officials confirmed during the briefing.

Healthcare providerscan confirm the infection by testing blood or urine samples in a lab.Other possible means of testing may include respiratory fluid, X-rays, CT scans or a tissue biopsy.

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To prevent infection, health officials recommend limiting activities where soil is disturbed and to consider wearing masks during “high-risk” outdoor activities.

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“It is very healthy to be outside, but if it is dusty or you will be outside for a prolonged time, you should be wearing some kind of mask to limit any spores you might breathe in,” Fadul advised.

Healthcare providers can confirm the infection by testing blood or urine samples in a lab.Other possible means of testing may include respiratory fluid, X-rays, CT scans or a tissue biopsy.(iStock)

Before this outbreak, histoplasmosis was a “reportable disease” in only 14 states (Arkansas, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Wisconsin and Washington), according to the CDC.

The infection does not spread between humans andcannot be transmittedfrom humans to animals.

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Anyone who experiences symptoms and believes they have been exposed to the Histoplasma fungus should contact a doctor for testing, especially if antibiotics are not helping.

“With this outbreak, and the new CDC-approved antigen testing, any vague respiratory illness should lead to a quick diagnosis and treatment,” Fadul said.“Histopplasmosis can be deadly to certain patients, but it doesn’t have to be.”

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