During the winter season, the onset of a cough is usually associated with common viruses like COVID-19, the flu, or RSV. In addition to these seasonal microbial threats, there are other lesser-known respiratory illnesses that can cause serious illness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is now warning of a dangerous fungal infection that is spreading to new parts of the U.S. Read on to discover which areas are affected and what this could mean for you.
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Most respiratory infections are associated with viruses and bacteria, but there are other microorganisms that can cause illness. Blastomyces is a type of mold found in natural environments with plenty of damp soil or decomposing wood and leaves, as noted by the CDC. Disturbing areas where it grows can release its microscopic fungal spores into the air, which can be breathed into the lungs. The higher body temperature allows the spores to turn into yeast, resulting in a fungal infection known as blastomycosis. In severe cases, the yeast can spread to other parts of the body, including the skin, bones, vital organs, and the central nervous system.
Unfortunately, the fungus is quite dangerous. According to a CDC study, hospitalization rates for symptomatic patients can range from 57 to 69 percent, and death rates can range from 4 to 22 percent.
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Reported cases of blastomycosis in the U.S. remain relatively rare, with around two cases per 100,000 people annually, according to CDC data. The fungus has a limited geographical range, including the midwest, the Mississippi River and Ohio River valleys, the Great Lakes, and the St. Lawrence River.
Wisconsin has the most reported cases, with 10 to 40 annual cases per 100,000 people, particularly in the most northern counties. Arkansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin are the only states where health departments actively monitor for the illness. Missouri, Mississippi, and Illinois have also reported cases between 1978 and 2017.
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However, new data suggests that the fungal infection may be spreading to new areas. A study published in the Feb. 2024 edition of the CDC’s journal Emerging Infectious Diseases analyzed health insurance claims in Vermont from 2011 to 2020 to identify diagnosed cases of blastomycosis. The findings indicated a rate of 1.8 patients per 100,000 people, making Vermont the second highest state besides Wisconsin.
“Our findings…align with a growing body of evidence suggesting that the burden of endemic blastomycosis is greater than commonly appreciated,” the study authors wrote in their conclusion. They added that the results “challenge routine assumptions” about the infection and call for further studies to better understand the disease.
The study team also noted that the three counties with the highest blastomycosis cases in Vermont were the most northern, suggesting that Blastomyces may be more widespread than previously realized.
“This disease is probably more common in Vermont than was previously thought and perhaps in other states as well,” said Brian Borah, MD, medical director for Vaccine-Preventable Diseases Surveillance at the Chicago Department of Public Health and lead author of the latest study, as quoted by USA Today. “I think it’s important that clinicians be aware and to have this diagnosis in their list of possibilities when they’re seeing patients.”
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According to the CDC, blastomycosis symptoms can develop between three weeks and three months after inhaling the spores, and can include fever, cough, shortness of breath, night sweats, and muscle aches or joint pain. Other symptoms may be weight loss, extreme fatigue, and chest, rib, or back pain. In some cases, the infection can become more serious.
“Less common presentations include skin manifestations and bone lesions. The infection can sometimes even involve the central nervous system or the brain,” said Borah. “While the disease is rare, and some people don’t show any symptoms, it can still be fatal. There are still people who die from this disease every year.”
Patients with blastomycosis can be treated with anti-fungal medications. However, since the infection is relatively rare and similar to pneumonia, misdiagnosis is not uncommon at first. Additionally, while initial infections may occur through inhaling the fungal spores, the disease is not contagious.
“The fungus is not spread from animal to person, person to animal, or person to person,” said Suzanne Gibbons-Burgener, MD, infectious disease epidemiologist at the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, as quoted by USA Today.
Best Life provides the most current information from top experts, new research, and health agencies, but our content is not intended to replace professional guidance. For questions about your medication or any other health concerns, always consult your healthcare provider directly.
