Deadly disease infects 50 people across the Pacific Northwest - KCBD NewsChannel 11 Lubbock

4/22/10

Deadly disease infects 50 people across the Pacific Northwest

By Karin McCay| email

Edited by Kristin Beerman | email 

LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) – A new disease is emerging, having started in Canada, this airborne fungus is now blamed for several deaths in Oregon, and is spreading into California and Washington. 

The CDC is following it closely because it's affecting healthy people, when until now, it would occasionally show up in HIV patients. The strain of infection, called C-Gattii can be fatal if not treated soon enough.  It can show up as a chronic cough a couple of months after exposure.  Again, it's not in Texas, but it is spreading through the Pacific Northwest with about 50 cases so far.

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