Blastomycosis Spikes in Area

Recently there has been a spike in the number of Blastomycosis cases in the Northeast area with reports coming in from areas around us from Missinabie to Marathon.

The cases have involved not only many dogs but an increase in humans not only getting sick but dying very quickly leaving many families in shock as to what is happening!

Also known as Gilchrist’s Disease is a fungal infection (usually) of the lungs that can spread to the brain, stomach, intestines and skin. It affects humans and animals and is an airborne spore stirred up by disturbing the Blastomyces fungus in the moist earth. It presents like bronchitis, tuberculosis or pneumonia but is resistant to the medications to treat these common issues and often leaves medical staff at a loss as to why the patient isn’t responding to treatment.

Symptoms include (but not limited to) fever, cough, shortness of breath, night sweats, muscle aches and pain in joints, back, chest or ribs, weight loss, fatigue. It can also develop into skin lesions such as raised bumps, blisters or ulcers. It can spread through the body BUT IS NOT CONTAGIOUS to others.

If you like to walk your dog or just hike through the woods please be aware of your surroundings, maybe consider wearing a mask to reduce your chances of inhaling the spores that cause Blastomycosis.

If you, or your pet, are showing symptoms listed above, and you spend time in the woods please talk to your health care professional and bring these concerns to their attention!  With this not being something most health care providers see often it is not a test most think of to do in the early stages, you have the right to ask for the test to be done if you think you might be at risk.

For more information check out the CDC website for Blastomycosis basics at (LINK).

by: Tracy Blackmore