Rare Fungus Blamed for 60 Illnesses and 15 Deaths in Northwestern U.S.
Related: deaths, fungus, Illnesses, Northwestern, U.S.
You probably haven’t heard a thing about this since the news likes to ignore many stories, but U.S. health officials say that a fungus usually found in the tropics has taken root in the Pacific Northwest and has been blamed for at least 60 illnesses and 15 deaths.
The fungal illness is considered rare, but an increasing number of people who have breathed it in have become sick or died. The symptoms include a persistent cough, headache and fever.
The fungus is called Cryptococcus gattii and seems to grow on or around trees. Over the last six years, health officials have tracked 43 cases in Oregon, 15 in Washington, one in California and one in Idaho.
Hopefully we will learn more about the how and why.
Last Updated on November 12th, 2011
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