Health dept. reports increase in blastomycosis cases

The Oneida County Health Department announced Thursday, March 12 that more cases of blastomycosis, commonly known as “blasto,” in the Northwoods. 

Health officials ask residents to learn the symptoms and ways to lower their risk.

What is blastomycosis?

Blastomycosis (Blasto) is a fungal infection. The fungus lives in wet soil and in rotting wood or leaves. People can get sick when they breathe in tiny fungal spores in the air. These spores can be released when soil is moved or disturbed. Risk may be higher in areas that are:

• Near rivers, lakes, or swampy land.

• Places where soil is disturbed during gardening, hunting, hiking, or other outdoor activities.

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms usually start two to 15 weeks after a person breathes in the spores. Some people may not have symptoms.

Early symptoms can feel like a cold or respiratory illness, including cough, fever, chills, muscle aches, joint pain and chest pain.

People who smoke, have lung disease, or have a weak immune system may have a higher risk of getting sick. Blastomycosis does not spread from person to person. Contact a doctor if these symptoms appear.

Prevention and treatment

It is not always possible to avoid blastomycosis. At this time, no test can detect the fungus in soil. You may be able to lower your risk by:

• Avoiding activities that disturb soil in wooded areas or near water.

• Wearing a mask or respirator when digging or moving soil in higher-risk areas.

Doctors treat blastomycosis with antifungal medicine. People usually take this medicine for several months. Antibiotics do not treat blastomycosis.

Blastomycosis and pets

Pets, especially dogs, can also get blastomycosis. Dogs may have a higher risk because they often dig in soil and stay close to the ground. Symptoms in pets may include skin sores, coughing or trouble breathing, limping with no clear injury, trouble seeing, loss of appetite or weight loss

Contact a veterinarian right away if your pet shows these symptoms.

When to get help

Early testing and treatment can help prevent serious health problems. Contact a doctor or veterinarian if symptoms appear.

More information can be found at the following sources: 

• Wisconsin Department of Health Services — https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/disease/blastomycosis.htm.

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) — https://www.cdc.gov/blastomycosis/.