Resident investigates blasto spores in trees

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Resident investigates blasto spores in trees

Middle Lake resident Evenden is warning people to stay away

from blue trees.

By Mike Aiken

Miner and News-Kenora,Ontario,Canada*

Monday November 05, 2007

http://www.kenoradailyminerandnews.com/News/351586.html

Middle Lake resident Evenden is warning people to stay away

from blue trees.

She recently found blasto spores above ground on her property while

clearing brush, and she's had samples tested at a lab to confirm her

fears.

" None of these specimens came from soil samples. One of the samples

that tested positive for blastomyces dermatitidis was a twig taken

from part way up a tree that was covered in the bluish substance.

The other sample was taken from a growth on the ground. The ground

in the area was covered in the same substance as were the tree

trunks extending as much as three or four feet up the trunk, " she

wrote for her on-line blog.

According to the Northwestern Health Unit, blastomycosis may seem

like the " flu " with cough, muscle aches, joint pain, tiredness,

chills and fever. The health unit's information sheet on blasto says

symptoms may develop suddenly, days to weeks after exposure to the

fungus. In some people, the symptoms can go away naturally but

others may develop a persistent cough with yellow or green spit.

This may be the first sign of pneumonia.

A blastomycosis infection usually starts in the lungs but sometimes

it can cause a skin infection. This will look like red pimples,

which can develop crusts or ulcers, on the face or other exposed

skin.

The health unit information continues to say, " the fungus is in the

soil. Construction, digging or gardening may cause the fungal spores

to be carried into the air and inhaled. You can only get

blastomycosis from the fungus that is in the soil or the fungus

spores in the air. You cannot get it from another person or an

animal. "

Kenora has been the focus of attention in recent months as there

seem to be a sharp increase in cases. The disease can also be fatal

for pets, who contract it while sniffing the ground outdoors.

Evenden said over the weekend she has brought her findings to the

attention of the Northwestern Health Unit, as well as the Lake of

the Woods District Hospital.

The director of environmental health for the health unit, Bill

Limerick, acknowledged blastomycosis spores are found in the area,

sometimes above ground, so it's not possible for staff to try and

identify all the areas where they're found.

" You can't go and put signs up that this is a blasto area, " he said

Monday. " It's there. It's part of our environment. "

Limerick encouraged those seeking more information to look up their

web site. Residents who suspect they may have symptoms are

encouraged to check with their physician, he added.