Rare lung disease tied to Terrace Hill

[Guest guest]

Rare lung disease tied to Terrace Hill

DesMoinesRegister.com - Des Moines,IA*

By TONY LEYS • REGISTER STAFF WRITER •

January 28, 2008

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/articleAID=/20080128/N

EWS/80128052/-1/SPORTS12

Health officials are asking anyone who visited the governor's

mansion Nov. 29 to be tested for a relatively rare lung disease

often spread via bird droppings.

State, county and federal investigators have been looking into a

recent outbreak of histoplasmosis at the Des Moines offices of the

American Lung Association. Several people were sickened in that

incident.

Monday, officials announced that their investigation had broadened,

and now included Terrace Hill as a possible source of infections.

Histoplasmosis is a respiratory illness, caused by a fungus often

found in soil containing bird droppings or bat feces. Fungus

particles are transmitted through the air, often after the soil is

disturbed by tilling or building renovations. The disease cannot be

transmitted from one person to another.

Most exposed people show no symptoms. In some cases, histoplasmosis

can cause respiratory symptoms, including a dry cough, chest pains,

fever and a general ill feeling -- symptoms often associated with

common respiratory viruses. Mild cases are usually resolved without

treatment. Antifungal medications are used to treat severe cases.

Officials said investigators would test the environment in and

around Terrace Hill and offer screenings to residents, staff and

visitors who were there Nov. 29. Officials did not immediately say

why they were focusing on that date.

[Guest guest]

Histoplasmosis is a parasite, it often starts in the lungs, but it can

spread throughout the body.

Just another example of media understating a problem to " reassure " the public.