A Rare, Deadly Fungus Is Making People Sick in Tennessee
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- A cluster of 36 histoplasmosis cases has been reported in middle Tennessee since fall 2025, with one possible death linked to the infection, according to the Tennessee Department of Health.
- Histoplasmosis is caused by inhaling spores of the Histoplasma fungus, often found in soil contaminated with bird or bat droppings, and can cause symptoms ranging from mild pneumonia to severe, life-threatening illness.
- The source of the current Tennessee outbreak remains unidentified, and health officials note that the fungus is commonly present in local soil, making complete prevention difficult.
- The Tennessee Department of Health has issued advisories to clinicians to watch for histoplasmosis in patients with unexplained fever or respiratory symptoms in the affected counties.
