Potentially Deadly Fungus Expected to Spread Across the U.S.
NY, NY (Apr 24) – An airborne fungus also known as the “deadly fungus” has infected more than 50 people in the Pacific Northwest.
The Killer fungus originating from Canada, has health officials in the United States stating, “there is cause for concern but, are not ready to sound the alarm.”
The fungus is capable of triggering both pneumonia and meningitis however, at this time is still considered a rare possibility. The fungus, Cryptococcus gattii is airborne and has only been detected in the Pacific Northwest.
At a news conference held Friday, Katrina Hedberg, MD, MPH, interim state epidemiologist for the Oregon Department of Health Services Public Division, stated it is also rare for persons exposed to the fungus to become ill.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) stating incomplete data, would not comment on the exact number of deaths however, Hedberg states, “Of the 50-plus cases, around 10 of them have died.”
Researchers studying the fungus which is typically located in tropical climates,”originates in soil and is associated with certain tree species, and becomes airborne,” have commented that infections so far have been treated with anti-fungal agents however; there is no vaccine available to treat those stricken or to help prevent others from becoming infected.
The 50 reported cases have been spread across Washington, Oregon, and California with a new strain discovered in Oregon. Unlike other common fungi that normally infect persons with weakened immune systems, Cryptococcus gattii can infect healthily people as well.
Once inhaled systems can take up to 8 months to appear which include: Severe Headache, Fever, Chills, and Shortness of Breath whereas, some infected individuals have only exhibited one of the four symptoms.
Doctors have been notified to report those symptoms in patients that have traveled to the Pacific Northwest region
Once inhaled systems can take up to 8 months to appear which include: Severe Headache, Fever, Chills, and Shortness of Breath whereas, some infected individuals have only exhibited one of the four symptoms.
Doctors have been notified to report those symptoms in patients that have traveled to the Pacific Northwest region.
Posted by rgrone
on April 24, 2010. Filed under Health and Living,Human Interest,Medicine,National News,Research,WorldNewsVine.
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9 Responses to Potentially Deadly Fungus Expected to Spread Across the U.S.
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Truth About Mold
April 24, 2010 at 10:45 pm
Mold can cause serious health problems. For accurate information about the health effects of mold, go to http://truthaboutmold.info and http://achemmic.com.
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Michael J. McFadden
April 24, 2010 at 10:53 pm
In 1989 the Department of Transportation completed a study of airplane air quality in conjunction with the introduction of mandatory smoking bans on all flights. The measurement of concern here was that nonsmoking flights had nine CFU/ m^3 (nine “colony forming units” of fungi per cubic meter) as opposed to only five or six CFU/m^3 on smoking flights: over a 50% increase in concentration! (Report to Congress: Airline Cabin Air Quality. U.S. D.O.T. 1989)
Such problems may now be even worse as airplanes take advantage of the absence of smoking and refresh the air of planes only 20% as often as they did back when smoking was allowed! fresh air at high altitudes costs money… and without smoke in the air the health risks are effectively invisible (Boucher, quoting James Repace. Rendez-Vous 64 04/26/00).
The increased health risks of epidemic diseases spreading in the confined and now heavily recirculated air of our planes will never be apparent until a disaster occurs… and by then it will be too late. Passengers in the Northwest might want to opt for smoking-allowed flights… except for the fact that extremists seem to have now banned that option entirely.
Michael J. McFadden
Author of “Dissecting Antismokers’ Brains”
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V Hayes
April 27, 2010 at 10:31 pm
This is ridiculous rationale. Yes, filter the air, but don’t allow carcinogenic smoke into it. I’m sorry but the logic of this argument is non-sequitur, and an epic fail.
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Michael J. McFadden
April 28, 2010 at 3:26 am
Sorry, but if you read what I wrote, it quite clealy shows the excess risk involved in banning smoking and subjecting passengers to the excess rish of disease spread through reduced ventilation.
Michael J. McFadden
Author of “Dissecting Antismokers’ Brains”
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cna training
April 26, 2010 at 10:35 pm
nice post. thanks.
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Bottomless
April 27, 2010 at 3:10 am
Hola, En la carga de antivirus mi pбgina de poner alerta, por favor de verificaciуn.
Have a nice day
Bottomless
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