Dozens Sickened as Potentially Deadly Fungus Spreads in Southern State

Tennessee health officials have sounded the alarm over a potentially deadly fungal infection that has sickened dozens of residents in recent months. At least 35 cases of histoplasmosis, a lung infection caused by exposure to the fungus Histoplasma capsulatum, have been confirmed in Murray and Williamson Counties during a three-month period, according to data presented by the Tennessee Department of Health on January 12.

The outbreak has raised serious concerns after a family reported that a woman from Spring Hill died after contracting the infection, with her positive test results reportedly coming back two days after her death, according to local media. However, state epidemiologists have emphasized that their investigation is still underway, and they have not yet confirmed that the infection directly caused any fatalities.

During a briefing at the Williamson County Board of Commissioners, officials noted that the average age of those infected is 50. Some patients have been hospitalized, with several described as “critically ill.”

Histoplasmosis occurs when people inhale fungal spores from soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings. The Tennessee Department of Health indicated that investigators have not identified a single common source for the current outbreak, making it difficult to pinpoint the origin of the infections.

“This fungus is endemic to parts of Tennessee and the broader Ohio and Mississippi River valleys, but seeing this many cases in such a short timeframe is unusual,” said Dr. Michael Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist at Vanderbilt University Medical Center who was not involved in the official investigation. “Histoplasmosis outbreaks often occur when soil-disrupting activities like construction or landscaping release fungal spores into the air.”

The infection poses varying degrees of risk to those exposed. Many people who inhale the spores never develop symptoms, but others can experience a range of respiratory issues. Symptoms typically appear within three to 17 days after exposure and include fever, cough, extreme fatigue, headache, body aches, chills, and chest pain.

Health officials say the condition is often misdiagnosed because its symptoms closely resemble those of common respiratory illnesses like the cold or flu. This similarity can lead to delayed treatment for those who need it most.

People with weakened immune systems face the highest risk of developing severe complications. In these individuals, the infection can progress to a persistent lung infection or, in rare cases, spread to other organs and cause meningitis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

While most cases resolve without specific treatment, antifungal medications are available for severe infections. Healthcare providers can diagnose histoplasmosis through blood or urine tests, respiratory fluid analysis, imaging studies like X-rays or CT scans, or tissue biopsies in more advanced cases.

To reduce the risk of infection, Tennessee health officials recommend limiting activities that disturb soil and wearing masks during high-risk outdoor activities, especially in areas where bird or bat droppings may be present. They emphasize that histoplasmosis cannot spread between people or from humans to animals, which helps contain the outbreak.

Prior to this cluster of cases, histoplasmosis was a “reportable disease” in only 14 states, not including Tennessee. This designation requires healthcare providers to notify public health authorities when cases are identified, allowing for better tracking and response to potential outbreaks.

Health officials urge anyone experiencing persistent respiratory symptoms who believes they may have been exposed to the fungus to seek medical attention promptly, especially if antibiotics haven’t improved their condition.

“Early diagnosis is crucial for those at high risk of complications,” said Dr. Elizabeth Johnson, an infectious disease specialist with the Tennessee Medical Association. “Because the symptoms can mimic other common respiratory infections, it’s important for healthcare providers in the affected counties to consider histoplasmosis when evaluating patients with compatible symptoms.”

The Tennessee Department of Health continues to monitor the situation and is working with local healthcare providers to identify and treat additional cases as they emerge.