What does the 2019 surveillance report say about blastomycosis in the US?
Blastomycosis is a fungal infection that can affect the lungs and other parts of the body. A 2019 surveillance report tracks how many cases of this disease occur across the US. This report also looks at similar fungal infections, such as histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis, to help health officials understand trends in these illnesses.
What the research says
The 2019 surveillance report specifically describes the cases of blastomycosis found in the United States during that year 1. It groups this data with reports on histoplasmosis and coccidioidomycosis to provide a broader view of fungal infections in the country 1.
While the 2019 report focuses on general case counts, other surveillance data has looked at how these infections change over time. For example, later reports have examined how the COVID-19 pandemic might have influenced the number of blastomycosis cases in the US 3.
Surveillance efforts also track specific outbreaks to understand how the disease spreads. One notable example involves an outbreak reported among workers at a paper mill in Michigan, which highlights how environmental factors can lead to clusters of infection 2.
What to ask your doctor
- How common is blastomycosis in my area compared to other regions?
- What symptoms should I watch for if I live near a forest or river?
- Are there specific environmental changes that increase the risk of this infection?
- How does the COVID-19 pandemic affect testing or reporting for fungal infections like blastomycosis?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Infectious Disease and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.