Print

[Lisa]

Fungal infection has pneumonia-like symptoms, state officials say
The Capital Times -  9/12/2008
http://www.madison.com/tct/news/304680

State officials are telling residents to be on the lookout for an uncommon but potentially serious fungal infection called blastomycosis.

State Epidemiologist for Communicable Diseases Dr. Jeffrey Davis said the infection "may be misdiagnosed and treated as pneumonia, so individuals are urged to talk to their physicians if they have continual, persistent pneumonia-like symptoms to help ensure early detection and treatment of the fungus."

Blastomycosis develops when inhaled spores of blastomyces dematitidis establish a primary infection in the lung. If not detected early it can cause serious health complications.

Infected individuals may develop an acute lung infection that begins with a dry cough and fever, and may progress to weight loss, chest pain, and a persistent cough producing thick sputum or blood, the Department of Health Services said.

Other signs and symptoms may include muscle aches, night sweats, shortness of breath and chest tightness, the department said.

The infection is not spread from person to person and some people who develop it never have symptoms.

In nature the fungus resides in soil or rotting vegetation and foliage and blastomycosis usually occurs during wet periods of spring and fall. In Wisconsin there have been a total of 428 reported cases between Jan. 1, 2005 and Dec. 31, 2007. The department said most of the reported cases occurred in northern Wisconsin counties, probably due to favorable environmental conditions.

Of the 428 reported cases, 267 individuals were hospitalized.

Dogs are also susceptible to the fungal infection, and may develop it from inhalation of spores, especially after digging in soil. The disease is common in dogs, the department said, and if misdiagnosed can lead to death. Signs and symptoms of the disease in dogs vary and may include eye problems, lack of appetite and energy, raspy bark, and raspy, labored breathing.

[Wilson3]

this is very interesting!!
I also just found out from a friend that is a RN at Rancie Hospital in Wisconsin how received an email at work saying the Racine county is 7th highest for reported blasto cases
(wilson had gotten blasto from racine county)
at least their seem to be coming more aware of it.
thanks lise for find this!
wilson3

[Wilson3]

this is the same artical from wisconisin department of health servies
http://dhs.wisconsin.gov/news/pressreleases/2008/091208Blasto.htm
if you click on the printer freindly when it prints it is from governor jim doyle
and it also say on the printer friendly page that comes up
that it is for immediate release
and physicians advised to be alert to sysptoms of blastomycosis
i calle dthe lady that is the contact person and also told her about blasto entering through wounds and cuts  that this is usually the ones that have lesions not always she seemed to listen but didnt seem to really think i knew what iw as talking about kind of funny she asked if their is proof i told her she should look at this site tons of info
wisconsin is on top for the worst state in the us we have the perfect enviroment
wilson3

[BRANDO]

PAPER IS SENT OUT FROM EAGLE RIVER, WI (BLASTO HAVEN)

Vilas County New Reviews has a recent arcticle on "Blasto" warning:

The link is below:  In this week's paper published on Wednesday. 
The article mentions how blasto took Emmit Klessigs life in January, 2008.
I couldn't read further due to the fact that
I don't have a subscription to the newspaper (online or in print) so I couldn't get the entire article. 

I commend Kurt Krueger, News Reporter Editor for bringing this news forward:

http://www.vilascountynewsreview.com/full.php?id=15304If anyone has the full article please post it!
Thanks
Sharon and canine pal, Brando 2x Blasto survivor
BRANDO GOT BLASTO FROM THE CHAIN O'LAKES-YELLOW BIRCH LAKE!

PS:  Don't you think it's only fair that Eagle River Chamber of Commerce put this on their tourism website-just think of how many lives (human/canines) would be saved?