CDC warns of the fungus histoplasmosis

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CDC warns of the fungus histoplasmosis

Published: Dec. 18, 2008 at 11:06 PMOrder reprints | Feedback

http://www.upi.com/Health_News/2008/12/18/CDC_warns_of_the_fungus_his

toplasmosis/UPI-83111229659608/

ATLANTA, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- Travelers working in histoplasmosis-

endemic areas such as El Salvador should take protective measures,

U.S. health officials said.

The Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report of the Centers for Disease

Control and Prevention said histoplasmosis is a fungal disease

acquired from inhaling dust containing histoplasma capsulatum

spores. The infection usually results in an asymptomatic or mild flu-

like illness, but can result in loss of lung capacity.

In February 2008, the Pennsylvania and Virginia departments of

health investigated a cluster of respiratory illness among members

of three church mission groups that had traveled to El Salvador to

renovate a church. Sixty-one percent of 33 mission members became

ill after returning to the United States.

Certain activities -- sweeping and cleaning outdoors, digging and

working in bird or bat roosting areas -- were associated with an

increased risk of becoming ill, the report said.

U.S. health officials advise travelers and those involved in

construction activities to use personal protective equipment and

decrease dust-generation when working in histoplasmosis-endemic

areas. Clinicians should consider histoplasmosis as a possible cause

of acute respiratory or flu-like illness in travelers returning from

endemic areas, the CDC said.