Monday, April 26, 2010

Deadly New Fungus Emerging in Oregon Expected to Spread

http://www.livescience.com/health/deadly-new-fungus-oregon-100422.html

A new airborne strain of fungus has been found in Oregon. It has killed nearly one out of four affected so far and is all so making animals ranging from dogs to dolphins sick. Researchers fear that it is likely to spread. The new fungus is called VGIIc of the fungus Cryptococcus gatti. The Fungus is spread by inhaling spores released by trees that are infected and can not be spread from animal to animal. Scientists are not sure how infectious the fungus may be, they caution the new strain will most likely expand to California and other neighboring areas. What worries Scientist the most is that this fungus appears to be a threat to otherwise healthy people. Treatment for the fungus is months to years of antifungal medications, and even surgery, and there is no vaccine.


This is just another sign of how the world around us continues to change. Not only do we continue to find new species of animals and plants but also things that are not so good like deadly fungi. It is really scary to think that this fungus is transmitted to humans from trees. You may not even realize that you have came in contact with it until you get sick. Hopefully a vaccine will be found before too many people loss their lives.

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