Deadly fungus in Kenora, health officials warn

August 12, 2005

Last Updated Aug 12 2005 04:34 PM CDT

CBC News

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Health officials in Manitoba and northwest Ontario are warning

cottagers to educate themselves about blastomycosis, a rare, but

potentially deadly disease caused by a fungus in the soil in the

Kenora area.

People and animals can get sick many months after exposure and the

infection can be hard to diagnose from the symptoms. The illness,

which can look like the flu, pneumonia, a skin infection, or cancer,

must be treated, or it will gradually lead to death.

With the explosion of tourism, health officials are worried seasonal

cottagers may get sick and be misdiagnosed by their home doctors.

Gerry runs the Lake of the Woods Property Owners Association

and organized seminars Thursday to teach seasonal visitors about

blasto.

" I think most people in this area know someone who has had it, and

if not someone who's had it, they certainly know someone whose dog

has had it, " she says. " Cottagers probably aren't quite as aware as

people who live here full-time. "

says people who go back to their homes in other parts of the

country are at a disadvantage if they do get sick because doctors

elsewhere are not as knowledgeable about blastomycosis. She wants

the seminars give people a respect for the seriousness of blasto.

" It is potentially fatal, but it is still relatively rare, " she

says. " I hope they go home with more knowledge of the disease itself

and also a reassurance that they shouldn't be stopping doing what

they normally like to do. "

Doctors estimate up to 50 people are infected each year by blasto.

Manitoba plans to make blastomycosis a reportable disease by next

year. Health officials are lobbying the Ontario government put it

back on the reportable list so they have a better idea of how big

the problem is.

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